To the Editor of the Limerick Echo,

Sir,

I recently came across an editorial paragraph in the Dublin Family Mail discussing the concerning rise of “Alcoholism” among women. The article suggested that medical professionals and those working in Homes for Inebriate Women have little hope for the recovery of women struggling with alcohol addiction. The author expressed curiosity about the experiences of those treating women with alcohol-related issues in our country.

As someone who has been involved in treating both male and female alcoholics in Dublin for the past five years, I felt compelled to respond. In my experience, which includes treating approximately 300 cases, with around 60 of them being women, the reality is quite different from what was portrayed in the article. In fact, our female patients have shown an even higher percentage of long-term success in their recovery compared to men.

It is acknowledged that women struggling with alcohol addiction may be less responsive to moral influence than men. This is because they often experience a deeper sense of degradation and subsequently lose their self-respect more profoundly. However, once their self-respect is restored and the craving for alcohol is removed, they are less likely to relapse into their previous habits.

The failure of conventional medical treatment in addressing alcoholism lies in its focus on addressing the effects while neglecting the underlying causes. For any real progress to be made, “Alcoholism” must be recognized as a specific disease and treated as such. Habitual alcohol abuse leads to the hardening of nerve tissues, altering them to a point where alcohol becomes necessary for their physiological functions. This explains the craving for stimulants. To achieve a cure, scientific medical treatment is necessary to restore the nerves and other organs to their original state and help the patient regain self-respect and willpower.

This principle forms the basis of the “Haygey Treatment,” which is widely used across the civilized world. From over five years of experience with this treatment in Dublin, it can be stated that over 80 percent of the cases treated have resulted in permanent cures. Among the 60 women who have received treatment, only three cases ended in failure. Numerous clergymen and ministers of all denominations in Ireland have witnessed the efficacy of this treatment and can vouch for its results.

It is essential to recognize that the situation is not as hopeless as it may seem, and “Alcoholism” among women can be successfully treated. The Irish Haygey Institute, located at 43 Dawson Street, Dublin, has been working diligently to provide effective treatment options. I urge those who doubt the possibility of recovery to consider the positive outcomes witnessed by those involved in this vital work.

Yours truly,

WM V. O’BRIEN
Manager, Irish Haygey Institute

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 24 May 1904