Alcoholism, A Negative Side Of Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens was a well known, celebrated author of the Victorian Era. Though he was successful, he faced many setbacks in his difficult life. His father was hurled into debtors’ prison when Dickens was young (Bragg 5) and he was left with his mother and six siblings (Rooke 1). Dickens, being the oldest male of the family (Rooke 1), had to go work in a factory during his formative years. Dickens’ rough childhood made him insensitive. (Bragg 1) When Dickens came of age, he began to show interest in writing novels and short stories (Bragg 2). His mother, however, was unsupportive of his endeavors (Bragg 2), and was often after him for his money (Bragg 2). He was said to have lived a depressing, lonely adulthood (Bragg 1) and people used to tell him that he was “incapable of a relationship” (Rooke 1).
Dickens, in a desperate attempt to cope with his struggles, turned to alcohol instead of seeking professional assistance. He was said to drink away his days and nights (Industrial Revolution). He was struggling with health problems already (Bragg 2), and his alcoholism only seemed to worsen his condition. Charles Dickens suffered gravely from his excessive consumption of alcohol throughout his life, and if he was alive now, he would appreciate that alcoholics can seek help through the many support groups and rehabilitation centers available today.
Dickens began to spiral into a horrendous version of himself due to his notorious alcoholism. He used to have terrible mood swings (Galbicsek 1) and usually substituted actual meals with a glass of vodka or gin (Diniejko 1). This was extremely detrimental to his already poor health. Often times, Dickens would have consumed “no more than a half a pound of solid food in a period of twenty four hours” (Allingham 1). An alcoholic suffers from the most severe form of alcohol abuse (Galbicsek 1). Moreover, alcoholics are usually unable to manage their excessive drinking habits and tendencies, which can be very dangerous (Galbicsek 1). Alcoholism comes with various symptoms and side effects that have the potential to quickly become fatal if help is not sought (Galbicsek 1). People suffering with alcoholism typically feel incomplete without alcohol, and this can impact a person’s goals, overall health, relationships, and other personal matters (Galbicsek 1). These facts all prove that Charles Dickens, quite clearly, was an aggressive alcoholic.
Alcoholism in the Victorian Era was not at all taken lightly. People of the Victorian Era had very strong opinions about it (Smith 1), and they were certainly unafraid to make their voices heard. During this popular period in European history, middle class men were the ones who were usually grappling with the repercussions of acute alcoholism (Smith 1). Drinking was a very popular pastime for working men of Europe circa-1800s. The term “alcoholism”, however, was coined by a Swedish physician in 1849 (Hanson 1). The later half of the nineteenth century was called “the golden age of the saloon” because this was where most men could have been found in the late evenings, drinking (Hanson 1). Drunkards were looked down upon by most, and they were seen as “wasteful, scorned, and purposeless” by people around them (Smith 1).
As the steady influx of people who believed in the latter grew larger and larger, people that disagreed with the consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol formed temperance groups. The temperance movement was a popular, controversial topic of the Victorian Era (Smith 1). Their beliefs revolved around the curbing of alcoholism in the working class. A common misconception is that temperance groups’ prerogative is to outlaw the consumption of alcoholic beverages (Smith 1), but this is not the case. Temperance groups want only to control the alcoholism in their society and reduce the grasp it has on people’s lives. Conversely, the working class that supported drinking argued that it was irrelevant (Smith 1) and had no bearing to the “more pressing” issues of the era (Smith 1).
The working class insisted that the temperance movements were diverting people’s attention from “more important” matters, such as the myriad of health concerns associated with pollution and sanitation (Smith 1). In modern-day societies today, however, many new and improved methods and ailments have been developed for those who are alcoholics. Though there is not a cure for alcoholism, per se, there are numerous different ways to help people who suffer with it. One of the most popular tactics, though, is having the alcoholic attend a support group with others who suffer from similar issues (Al-Anon Family Groups).
Studies state that alcoholics do, in fact, have a better chance at sobriety when they enter a recovery program. Non-profit organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous have the goal to assist people in such a way that they do not have to deal with the struggle of resisting the urges to drink alone, but resolving it in a healthy, effective manner. Many people have emerged victorious from the clutches of addiction, and that can be owed to organizations that have the good of mankind in their sights. Alcoholics Anonymous provides a safe, accepting environment for people to share their experiences and encounters with alcohol in a constructive, nurturing way.
