re: Alcoholism: Why Is It A Disease?

Getting sober: The PaRC in Houston

Staying sober: Worked the 12 steps. Attend regular meetings and chair a meeting once a week. Remain teachable.

quote:

---

Of the 10 years I was drinking, the first 3 were enjoyable.

---

Yep, after that it's simply self medication.

I lost my best friend in college. I gave up on God for a bit and chose to drink because it numbed my senses. For almost 2 years every night I drank until I passed out because laying in bed sober meant it was just myself and my emotions and my emotions took over every night. I didn’t know how to move on but drinking seemed to calm me down. I added pills to my nightly routine at some point because it sped the process up. Instead of a whole bottle of southern comfort I could drink less and feel the same way. I was labeled as an alcoholic. I was told I needed to get help. I took a trip by myself to the Caribbean for a long weekend with bad intentions. It became a reassessment of my life and when I got back I no longer had the desire or urge to drink like that.

I was cured of my “disease” I guess. Ever since I have never had issues with drinking. I drink when I want but rarely in excess and never because I feel I have to. I have a family history of alcoholism so I used that as an excuse to make me feel like it was just my time. But I learned it doesn’t have to be that way. I never hit rock bottom but I woke up and figured out I couldn’t stay on the same path to live the life I wanted.

quote:

---

It's tragic that some people think people want to be frick ups and addicts. We won't get anywhere with that line of thinking.

---

It is tragic we have people who always excuse people who are frick ups and addicts. This line of thinking has led to the victim mentality society we have today. It is like a alcoholic getting drunk than getting behind the wheel killing a family of 4 and telling the judge I am sorry but it was my disease... Do you not see the ridiculousness in calling alcoholism a disease?

quote:

---

So your family has weaker than normal will power? You get to claim y’all are all diseased because y’all have no will power right?

---

Idiotic post deserves no real response. I won't take the bait, other than to say my dad devoted much of his life to recovery and getting well, while helping others to do the
same. It took guts and determination, plus help.

Addiction is the disease not necessarily the alcohol

changes in the brain that occur with repeated use of alcohol or drugschanges in the brain that occur with repeated use of alcohol or drugsSure, you can find some articles claiming the disease categorization is a myth, but many, if not most, times that claim is made by a for profit recovery facility trying to lure paying clients.

I'll listen to the doctors and trained experts
from the Surgeon GGeneral:
According to the report, substance use disorders result from changes in the brain that occur with repeated use of alcohol or drugs. These changes take place in brain circuits that are involved in pleasure, learning, stress, decision making, and self-control.

quote:

---

People who are claiming a that something which isn't a disease is one than yeah it is creating an excuse.

---

The disease concept revolves around treatment. It's no excuse.

Every addict or alcoholic will admit the road to addiction was self inflicted.

quote:

---

That a not a disease that is a choice.

---

Is pancreatitis a disease? What about diabetes? Cancer from smoking?

Are those diseases?

So now we have different levels. Some are addicted without choice. Some have a drinking problem but aren’t alcoholics.

None of it is a disease though.