PL4 * THE HISTORY OF ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT IN JAPAN

Abstract

The temperance movement in Japan involving the formation of temperance unions (TU) started in the 1890s. In 1898, the Japan Temperance Union was established. In 1953, a Dansyu-kai (sobriety club), which was later developed into the Tokyo Dansyu Shinseikai (Tokyo Restarting Life Sobriety Club), was established as a TU in Japan. Influenced by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Dansyu-kai, Takamaro Geshi, a psychiatrist, and Harushige Matumura, a former alcoholic, established Kouchi Dansyu Sinsei-kai in 1958. In 1963, Nippon Dansyu Renmei (Japan Sobriety Federation) was organized by uniting the Tokyo and Kouchi Dansyu Sinsei-kai organizations. In 1975, the first AA meeting took place in Tokyo. Psychiatric treatment specializing in alcoholism started at the Kurihama National Hospital in 1963. In 1966, specialized treatment for alcoholism started in Osaka, which developed community-based care for alcoholics. In the 1970's, many local medical societies for the treatment of alcoholics were established. The societies have since formed a federation and became the Japanese Society for Alcohol Related Problems (JSARP). A training course for psychiatrists for the treatment of alcoholics started in Kurihama National Hospital in 1976. The training course is now open for non-physician medical providers. JSARP and this training course have made a great contribution towards improving the therapeutic alliance with alcoholics in Japan.