First Contact

[bluecat*dancing]

Did anyone watch "First Contact" on SBS last night and/or the reaction on NITV? It's a three part series in which a group of people who have had no contact with Indigenous people spend time in various Aboriginal communities over a period of 28 days. I was shaking my head at the rudeness and ignorance of some of the participants.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-19/sbs-program-first-contact-sparks-social-media-frenzy/5901890

[alexander*beetle]

You make the solutions sounds so black and white. If it were that easy, dont you think the trained counsellors etc would have had it all sorted by now. Dare I suggest you do some 'real' research, not just anecdotal, to learn about alcohol abuse.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

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@alexander*beetle wrote:
Oh for goodness sake she ele. Stop making so much sense will you. 🙂

Just on the alcohol abuse claim in indigenous communities, from someone with a degree on alcohol and other drugs, you are absolutely spot on. And that is confirmed by vast research wold wide.

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a degree on alcohol  and other drugs? So, is it possible for someone to STOP drinking then? Or is AA a complete waste of time?

[rabbitearbandicoot]

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@alexander*beetle wrote:
You make the solutions sounds so black and white. If it were that easy, dont you think the trained counsellors etc would have had it all sorted by now. Dare I suggest you do some 'real' research, not just anecdotal, to learn about alcohol abuse.

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It's the same as smoking or any other drug abuse - you can stop if you really want to. My father is a classic example - he used to smoke 80-100 a day, every day - never had one out of his mouth - one day he decided to stop - and STOPPED.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

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@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

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@alexander*beetle wrote:
You make the solutions sounds so black and white. If it were that easy, dont you think the trained counsellors etc would have had it all sorted by now. Dare I suggest you do some 'real' research, not just anecdotal, to learn about alcohol abuse.

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It's the same as smoking or any other drug abuse - you can stop if you really want to. My father is a classic example - he used to smoke 80-100 a day, every day - never had one out of his mouth - one day he decided to stop - and STOPPED.

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Sorry to keep quoting my family members, but it's the only way I can stop being accused of making it up - My brother was a heavy smoker - he STOPPED. My wife was only a light smoker - she STOPPED - unfortunately not before she had a stroke. My brother-in-law was a HEAVY smoker - HE DECIDED to stop - and STOPPED.

** None of them could ever be described as having much will power when it came to other things.

[alexander*beetle]

Of course it's possible to stop drinking. But it's not just a case of 'not' drinking. It's about addressing the underlying issues of why people drink and understanding why they don't like themselves. AA usually works to help people stop drinking but by and large, many AA members are what are classified as 'dry drunks'. And that term came about from people who do stop drinking but live in fear of starting again. They often don't understand why they drink which usually results n them attending numerous AA meetings and being fearful they will start again if they don't go to meetings. But they never really address the underlying issues. My opinion of course.

[lionrose.7]

Bunny, cant believe people like you

[rabbitearbandicoot]

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@lionrose.7 wrote:

Bigot Bunny, cant believe people like you

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well, thankyou, I do try. Which part of the above posts are you particularly referring to?

As a friend of mine says: "I am not a bigot - I hate everyone" - of course I don't prescribe to that philosophy.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

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@alexander*beetle wrote:
Of course it's possible to stop drinking. But it's not just a case of 'not' drinking. It's about addressing the underlying issues of why people drink and understanding why they don't like themselves. AA usually works to help people stop drinking but by and large, many AA members are what are classified as 'dry drunks'. And that term came about from people who do stop drinking but live in fear of starting again. They often don't understand why they drink which usually results n them attending numerous AA meetings and being fearful they will start again if they don't go to meetings. But they never really address the underlying issues. My opinion of course.

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so, what would you say are the underlying issues in the case of Aboriginals who drink? Is it a psychological thing? Is it an environment thing - ie mum and dad did it, so I'll do it?

[alexander*beetle]

It would only be my opinion but psychological is only one part of it. I think its also about losing a sense of ones self and not knowing where they fit in anymore. And thats not just about aboriginals. its about abandonment, disassociation, feelings of hopelessness, feeling unworthy with no aims. And it's not just a matter of choice. If all you know or have known all your life, is one thing, then it's not human nature and sometimes not even possible to change a mindset. If you think about it this way. No-one would ever expect you to get into a car for the first time and know how to drive it. You are expected to have lots of lessons along the way to get to the stage where you feel comfortable getting behind the wheel and taking off. For many people, they've never had lessons on how to deal with life and all that it throws at you. Even basic things. So people find other ways to cope with their inability to grasp what others find easy. Some people don't even have the capacity to understand that life can be better for themselves because they've never had the skills in the first place. And for others theyve had experiences in their lives that are so painful, their minds just cant cope with it. And it doesn't mean they are bad or wrong, its just what they know. We are all different and all have different coping skills so its not just a case of doing what we 'should' do, it's far more complicated.

I'm really sorry if it sounds like I'm lecturing, I don't mean to. It's just my passion. 🙂

[rabbitearbandicoot]

alexander*beetle - thanks for that.