<<..A national service would do a lot to change this idiotic culture..>>

yeah..it turned dad into a social drunk
and me into a smoker

yeah..it turned dad into a social drunk
and me into a smoker
under one god,
And how did that come about ? Don't you subscribe to some discipline or what do you think was the main factor. I'd dearly love to know because this is the first time I have heard of such a situation unless of course you're talking military service which is a totally different kettle of fish. I was listening to some bloke on the radio the other day who said that there wasn't a single australian soldier who was forced to go to Vietnam, at no conscripted ones he said. Most soldiers entered the military as a career path & I'd think anyone joining the military would have sufficient sense to think that they might have to go to war. I'm not knocking you by no means but it sure would help to know how a national service can screw someone up.

nation..FIGHTING service is too much like hitler youth
if your suggesting taking the kids bush..that wont work either
if they are dry camps..people must learn moderation

..but some of us are addicted..to the things we love
[ie that give us comfort..that suppresses..our fear of not being loved...whatever..ask the author..

some care too much
some care too little

and with a little help..from..my fiend..i get past that next hump
but my true ns/peers..they mostly dissociated/died/committed suicide././ie never collected their old age pension..nor super

too much love of rage..new age..who knows
some care too little..others too much

dont over think it
we know the dosage that quiets the heart

uog,
??

Good to read all the comments and additional points raised. I often recommend AA groups in Melbourne to patients, however many enter treatment with a negative preconceived view towards the twelve step model. Group treatment (whether AA or otherwise) can provide invaluable support in a way in which individual psychotherapy cannot and vice versa. Both work well together. The costs of intensive therapy are high and unfortunately Medicare funding is very limited and favours a 'medical model' over alternatives. In any case the costs (financial and personal) associated with chronic binge drinking are usually quite high. The kind of scrutiny and diligence some binge drinkers put into counting therapy fees rarely enters the equation with regards to purchasing alcohol every day or week. To pay for treatment is one important way of beginning to take responsibility, something a lot of heavy drinkers are masters of avoiding. That said of course there are people who genuinely can't afford treatment too, and our mental health system has a lot to answer in this regard IMHO.