VOICES OF THE AFFLICTED

Over the past 10 years, I have been privileged to conduct education fo rums for audiences containing many recovering alcoholics or otherwise chemically dependent persons. In these forums about the addictive dise ases and their treatment and research possibilities, significant inter action with the audience members occurs. During these interactions, ce rtain anecdotal phenomena seem to predominate. The repetitive nature o f these reports suggests the need for systematic investigation. As wit h editorial comments in major medical journals, observed phenomena and unanswered questions from those afflicted can be valuable in the gene ration of testable hypotheses. Perhaps the ideas presented herein will be useful in the development of future research on alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.