Xenoholism is a behavioral disorder caused by foreigners

Have you noticed how some people get violent and turn into Mr. Hydes from Dr. Jekylls whenever they start speaking about other ethnic or religious groups? Could we call those that suffer from such split personality disorders xenoholics?

Xeno derives from Latin meaning “foreigner” or “outsider.” Thus a xenoholic is any person who suffers from “a disorder caused by foreigners.”

Contrary to alcoholic, the xenoholic consumes dry rhetoric. There are different types of xenoholic like there are different types of alcoholic drinks such as gin, whiskey and vodka. Xenoholic “drinks” include: racism, prejudice, bigotry, ethnocentrism or a mix of the mentioned into one potent atomic-bomb cocktail.

Isn’t it incredible that some of these xenoholics are the nicest persons when they interact with their group. Everything changes, however, when they take a sip or shot of xenohol.

But let’s stop whining and look at what we can do to help xenoholics kick the habit.

Since its founding in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has played an important role in helping people rebuild their lives after alcohol addiction.  What about if we establish Xenoholics Anonymous (XA) to help those who suffer from xenoholism? I can see it now at the first-ever XA meeting in history… “Hi, I’m Jussi or James and I am a xenoholic…”

Since xenoholics, like alcoholics, rarely admit they have a “drinking” problem,  I suggest the following AA test* for potential XA members. Simply replace “drinking” to “consuming racist rhetoric” in the AA test below:

1. Do you lose time from work due to drinking?
2. Is drinking making your home like unhappy?
3. Do you drink because you are shy with other people?
4. Is drinking affecting your reputation?
5. Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?
6. Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of drinking?
7. Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment as a result of drinking?
8. Does your drinking make you careless of your family’s social welfare?
9. Has your ambition decreased since drinking?
10. Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?
11. Do you want a drink the next morning?
12. Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
13. Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?
14. Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
15. Do you drink to escape from worries or troubles?
16. Do you drink alone?
17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking?
18. Has your physician ever treated you for drinking?
19. Do you drink to build up your self-confidence?
20. Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of drinking?

If you answered YES to any one of the questions, there is a definite warning that you may be an alcoholic.

If you have answered YES to any two, the chances are that you are an alcoholic.

For alcohol and drug dependency issues, you can also get in touch with the National Council on Seniors Drug & Alcohol Rehab.

If you answered YES to three or more, you are definitely an alcoholic.

*Steward Brand: The Next Whole Earth Catalog. Sept. 1981. p. 328.