We believe, and so suggested a few years ago, that the action of alcohol on these chronic alcoholics is a manifestation of an allergy; that the phenomenon of craving is limited to this class and never occurs in the average temperate drinker. —Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., pg. xxviii
Is alcoholism a disease?
Before I answer that question first let me say this. In my years in recovery and education in the recovery field I have been asked this question more often than I care to admit. Ninety-nine percent of the time the question is not really, “is alcoholism a disease”? The question is can I ever drink again safely? The individuals are looking for the out, they are looking for the contradiction that will give them permission in their own mind to continue on their path!
I get a kick out of some of the anti-disease people that scream from the mountain tops “Alcoholism is not a disease!!!” If you listen closely what they are really saying is, “buy my book!!!! Come to my rehab!!!! Come hire me as your coach!!!!” or some other fiscal benefit to them. My apologies for the cynicism I do realize that we all need to earn a living, I earn mine in the helping field as well. So now off the horse and onto the question.
It just doesn’t matter! That is right it just doesn’t matter whether you call it a disease or not. Here is the key, if you are having a challenge in your life due to alcohol use you may want to look for an alternative. Notice I said alcohol? Yes because if you are using illegal drugs which includes abusing prescription medications you absolutely have a challenge! THEY ARE ILLEGAL! Stop BS’ing yourself and attempting to BS us!
So here is the crux of the argument. If you are not happy with your life do something different. If alcohol or drugs are that important maybe you need to reevaluate your life and values! I recently met with a fellow that is in his fifties, he said I am not sure if I have a problem. I said let me ask you this if you were me and I was you what would you tell me about the three DUI’s, the fact that I live in a homeless shelter, and I do not have a job let alone a career? Does that sound like a good, stable life? I need not tell you what he replied!
If we just look at the right stuff like what do we want out of our lives? Stop focusing on mediocrity, look a glass of wine at night or a few beers with the guys fishing or golf may sound swell but the truth is you can find much more joy and rewards out of life than that! He live life well, cause life is gooooooood!
Go, Go, Go…
Dan 🙂