 |
|
|
|
 Marion Hagerman, 54, is a chronic alcoholic who lives at a "wet house," a state-funded residence where he's allowed to drink.
May 6th, 2011
07:38 AM ET
Where alcoholics can drink themselves to deathLearn more about the controversial "wet house" concept for dealing with chronic alcoholics this Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on "Sanjay Gupta, MD." St. Paul, Minnesota (CNN) - It's been over seven years since Marion Hagerman has spoken to anyone in his family. As he huddles behind a parked trailer on a cold early spring day, Hagerman reflects on his life, and recalls what led him to this moment. "This is my lifestyle," says Hagerman, 54, while sneaking a swig of what he calls "wash," or mouthwash - a cheap way of getting intoxicated. "It ain't much, but this is what I have. It sucks. " He says he held a steady job for 20 years, before his addiction to alcohol took over his life. Today, Hagerman lives at St. Anthony Residence in St. Paul, Minnesota, along with about 60 other late-stage alcoholics. St. Anthony, which receives funds from the state and is operated by Catholic Charities, is known as a "wet house" because Hagerman and the others are allowed to drink on site, with some caveats - including no mouthwash. The theory is that it's better to allow these guys to drink in a safe place than to end up on the streets and in the city's emergency rooms, jails, and detox centers. At St. Anthony, they have access to nurses - and doctors if the situation warrants - plus on-site case managers to aid in their addiction. Ideally, St. Anthony's counselors want the residents to sober up - but they realize that there isn't a strong chance of that happening. St. Paul isn't the only city that has a "wet house"-style residence - Seattle was one of the first cities to put this concept into practice in 2005, and Memphis is considering building one, too. Another argument in favor of the concept is that it saves money. Each St. Anthony's resident costs about $18,000 a year to house and feed, about $1,500 a month. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that if these men were out on the street, it could cost over $4,000 a month in incarceration, shelter and sobering center use, hospital-based medical services, publicly funded alcohol and drug detoxification and treatment, and emergency medical services. But the idea of allowing alcoholics to drink is antithetic to the basic tenets of addiction counseling. "We feel that that it's never too late, and that even if the alcoholic doesn't want help, doesn't mean that their drinking should be condoned or in any other way enabled or facilitated," says William Cope Moyers, public advocacy executive director for Hazelden addiction treatment centers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. "I see the wet house model as a model that enables the addict in the alcoholic to continue those destructive patterns." Moyers, who is the son of well-known journalist Bill Moyers, has chronicled his own struggle in his book, "Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption." His opposition to the wet house concept is commonplace among addiction counselors. St. Anthony Residence program manager Bill Hockenberger calls the wet house a "harm reduction model," instead of a treatment center. He says by giving these men a home - men who have all gone through nearly every treatment numerous times - it gets them off the streets. The added comfort of having a place to call home at night and the dignity that restores in the men in return, he says, leads men to drink less. "They didn't want to be an alcoholic," he said. "A lot of them just didn't have a choice in the matter ... this provides safe secure housing for those most in need. We are in business to do the humane thing." Hagerman, like a lot of the other St. Anthony residents, says he'd like to eventually leave and find a job. But he feels like he's stuck. "No I don’t want to stay there, I'd like to get a goddamn job and get the hell outta there," he says. "Jesus Christ, I turn 55 in September, I'm getting old. Who wants to hire a 55-year-old man?" Like a lot of the residents, Hagerman's addiction to alcohol not only keeps him out of a job - it keeps him away from his family, too. Just weeks after he learned his brother Jerry died from a heart attack, he learned that another brother, Mike, is in the hospital, dying from colon cancer. I give him a ride to the hospital, where he visits Mike and sits down with his other brother, Ray, for the first time in seven years. It's an awkward conversation, as Ray talks about Marion, seated next to him, as if he's not even there. "It's like we did kind of wash our hands [of] him when our parents died," Ray says. "We weren't going to take care of him. I'm glad to see that he's still alive because none of us were sure if he was. Always looked on the streets to see if I would see him somewhere." Ray says isn't sure what a "wet house" is, but seems to be OK with the idea. "I don’t think he's ever gonna stop drinking," Ray says. "No, no, I'm not going to," Marion responds, as if to remind Ray he's sitting right there. "My lifestyle keeps me alive." "Yeah it also keeps you separated from everybody in the last years of their lives," his brother says. The day after the visit, Mike succumbs to colon cancer. "It's my life. That's as far as it goes," Marion says a few days later, as he seeks to numb himself from the pain of his loss. "I live here. Look at this? Do you think I’m happy with this situation? No, I can't stand it. But I have nothing else to do." Watch Sanjay Gupta MD Saturday at 4:30pm and Sunday at 7:30am ET. For the latest from Sanjay Gupta MD click here. soundoff (2,435 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Next »Leave a Reply to store near me
Next entry »FDA sets kids' dosing for liquid meds
« Previous entryIs carbonated water safe to drink?
|
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
 |
|
|
|
https://aljico.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bestlocalnearme.com
I absolutely love your site.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my own blog and would like to know where you got this from or what the theme is named. Many thanks!
https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com/securedredirect.do?redirect=https://ocrvshop.com/motorhome-bathroom-repair-near-me
I was able to find good advice from your blog posts.
https://publishing.brookes.ac.uk/?URL=ocrv.info/rv-repair-shop-highland-california
I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your content. The article has really peaked my interest. I'm going to bookmark your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your Feed as well.
https://www.seniorenportal.de/community/redirect?url=http://youtube.com/watch?v=k4-6fPlUQCw
http://clients3.weblink.com.au/clients/aluminalimited/priceframe1.aspx?link=https://ocrv.org/rv-repair-shop-la-verne-california
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It is the little changes that make the greatest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
https://www.itic.org/redirect?r=96fe14b2-fa4d-4b35-860d-365da81621d2&redir=https://theocrv.com/rv-repair-shop-inglewood-california
https://www.shadygroveumc.org/System/Login.asp?id=56099&Referer=https://yelp.com/biz/ocrv-center-yorba-linda
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be useful to read through articles from other writers and use a little something from other websites.
https://www.noonswoon.com/gooutside?url=https://instagram.com/ocrvcenter&locale=en
bookmarked!!, I love your blog!
http://www.newyork-departmentofhealth.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=youtube.com/channel/UCCWA5o3d2u11KvEjA3wLVUA/videos
Hello there, I do believe your blog could possibly be having browser compatibility issues. Whenever I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, great website!
https://www.bestprice.gr/url?q=https://fleetvehiclerepairshop.com/van-repair-shop-near-me-3
You have made some good points there. I looked on the web for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.
http://admsapi.businessweekly.com.tw/?w=408691ac-acd6-4c54-b973-1a0f3d8fcffb&c=a85512e7-29e2-4eb5-8744-1767c0122729&p=11FA92D8-D718-4768-8364-ED0F4EC976D1&a=a188cc7b-1ba1-41da-a070-4d25fc82a98a&po=e1c41fc0-17d2-4c56-b716-d4a2c579a64d&s=6ac78b7f-21a1-47bc-b320-65ad67f39446&m=5bf58492-6afe-42cf-bf12-c1c7cc29679b&u=https://ocrv.mobi/nationwide-rv-collision-repair-shop-near-me
Right here is the right webpage for anyone who would like to understand this topic. You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic that's been discussed for ages. Excellent stuff, just wonderful!
https://my.volusion.com/TransferLogin.aspx?HostName=ocrv.life/forest-river-rv-collision-repair-paint-shop-near-me-orange-county
http://envisagedesign.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.yelp.com/biz/ocrv-center-anaheim-4
https://aro.lfv.se/ViewSwitcher/SwitchView?mobile=True&returnUrl=https://ocrvart.com/rv-upgrades-near-me
I'm still learning from you, while I'm trying to achieve my goals. I definitely liked reading everything that is written on your website.Keep the information coming. I enjoyed it!
https://maps.google.td/url?q=https://sites.google.com/site/maithangphupc/
http://rebelnation.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=yelp.com/biz/ocrv-center-anaheim-2
https://fast.accesstrade.com.vn/deep_link/4498810930962836187?url=https://ocrv.art/rv-camera-repair-near-me
http://3d.skr.jp/cgi-bin/lo/refsweep.cgi?url=https://commercialvanrepairshop.com/sprinter-van-upholstery-shop-near-me
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it won't fail me just as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, but I really thought you would probably have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something you could fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.
http://park3.wakwak.com/~yadoryuo/cgi-bin/click3/click3.cgi?cnt=chalet-main&url=https://fleetservicesorangecounty.com/limo-van-repair-shop-near-me
I used to be able to find good information from your blog articles.
http://ericmcpherson.com/gbook132/go.php?url=http://yelp.com/biz/ocrv-center-yorba-linda
I truly love your website.. Great colors & theme. Did you create this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own site and would love to find out where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Cheers!
https://lcu.hlcommission.org/lcu/pages/auth/forgotPassword.aspx?Returnurl=https://boxtruckrepairshop.com/nissan-luxury-van-repair-shop-near-me
http://p113831.typo3server.info/index.php?id=34&type=0&jumpurl=https://ocrvandtrucks.com/crane-truck-collision-repair-shop-near-me
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post! It's the little changes that make the largest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
https://cutephp.com/forum/redirect/?q=https://commercialvanrepairshop.com/truck-repair-shop-near-me-2
https://www.podcastone.com/site/rd?satype=40&said=4&aaid=email&camid=-4999600036534929178&url=https://ocrv.rocks/shasta-camper-collision-repair-paint-shop-near-me-orange-county
This blog was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Thank you!
https://vse-doski.com/redirect/?go=https://ocrv.biz/motorhome-mattress-repair-near-me
http://railway.uz/bitrix/redirect.php?goto=http://g.page/ocrvcenter
Howdy! This post couldn’t be written much better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept preaching about this. I most certainly will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he'll have a great read. Thank you for sharing!
http://www.digitalkamera.de/rdr?rdr=https://ocrvmotorcoaches.com/rv-renovation-near-me
https://www.etis.ford.com/externalURL.do?url=https://ocrv.club/motorhome-camera-repair-near-me
Greetings, I believe your web site could be having web browser compatibility issues. Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in I.E., it's got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, fantastic blog!
https://www.asicentral.com/login.aspx?returnurl=https://youtube.com/watch?v=RC7hsawrG14
I need to to thank you for this good read!! I definitely loved every bit of it. I have got you book marked to check out new things you post…
http://em.gohawaii.com/mtr40/c2.php?HVCB/26693011/218753/H/N/V/https://fleetservicerepairshop.com/wheelchair-van-repair-shop-near-me
http://p113831.typo3server.info/index.php?id=34&type=0&jumpurl=https://ocrv.biz/tow-truck-collision-repair-shop-near-me
Your style is really unique compared to other folks I've read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I'll just book mark this blog.
https://www.easytravel.com.tw/ehotel/hotel_sale.aspx?posvn=maple&url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=xOs1obmWlWU
https://tapestry.tapad.com/tapestry/1?ta_partner_id=950&ta_redirect=https://fleetservicerepairshop.com/coachmen-van-repair-shop-near-me
Hi, I do believe this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to revisit once again since I book marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
http://register.scotland.org/Subscribe/WidgetSignup?url=https://ocrvart.com/rv-repair-shop-lake-elsinore-california
https://www.isixsigma.com/share.php?site=https://ocrvart.com/water-truck-collision-repair-shop-near-me
http://www.ric.edu/Pages/link_out.aspx?target=https://fleetservicerepairshop.com/van-wrap-shop-near-me
Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues. It was really informative. Your site is very helpful. Many thanks for sharing!
http://youloop.org/loop.php?v=wvzHVHJ4ifg
Aw, this was a very good post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a top notch article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never manage to get anything done.
http://krd.empas.com/r/kw_rank4/u=youtube.com/watch?v=K3UVm5enZ0o
http://www.1c-hotel.ru/bitrix/redirect.php?event1=partners_out&event2&goto=http://www.facebook.com/ocrvcenter
Good day! I just want to give you a big thumbs up for your excellent info you have right here on this post. I am returning to your site for more soon.
http://keyscan.cn.edu/AuroraWeb/Account/SwitchView?returnUrl=https://ocrv.life/industrial-bus-collision-repair-shop-near-me
http://ref.webhostinghub.com/scripts/click.php?ref_id=nichol54&desturl=https://ocrv.us/rv-repair-shop-placentia-california
I'd like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I'm hoping to view the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own blog now 😉
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/s?action=doLogout&rurl=https://youtube.com/watch?v=pP9ZQx-_atI
http://rs.rikkyo.ac.jp/rs/error/ApplicationError.aspx?TopURL=https://fleetservicerepairshop.com/mercedes-luxury-van-repair-shop-near-me
http://sitecheck.elinkdesign.com/redirect.php?url=https://ocrvmotorcoaches.com/rv-repair-shop-arcadia-california
I really enjoy looking at on this site, it contains excellent content.
http://www.stornobrzinol.com/
After looking into a number of the blog posts on your website, I honestly like your technique of blogging. I saved it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my web site too and let me know how you feel.
http://cn.onkyo.com/2018newsite/newonkyo.html?url=https://ocrv.info/motorhome-shades-repair-near-me
You need to take part in a contest for one of the greatest websites on the internet. I most certainly will highly recommend this website!
http://digital.fijitimes.com/api/gateway.aspx?f=https://ocrvcenter.biz/stake-truck-collision-repair-paint-shop-near-me-orange-county
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for providing this information.
http://aboutlincolncenter.org/component/dmms/handoff?back_url=https://ocrvandtrucks.com/workstar-collision-repair-shop-near-me
Howdy, There's no doubt that your web site could be having browser compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, wonderful website!
https://track.aftermarket.pl/track.php?ref=&url=https://ocrvexperts.com/rv-repair-shop-noho-arts-district-california
Wow! Thank you! I continually needed to write on my site something like that. Can I take a fragment of your post to my blog?
http://www.stornobrzinol.com/