For years, alcoholism has been called a disease.
The fact is that it does run in families, but that only proves it is genetic and not a disease. The problem with calling alcoholism a disease is that it strips the individual of any power over the alcoholism. The truth is, the person who has the alcoholism is the only one with the power to take control of their life and quit drinking.
The alcoholic is not helpless, they can recovery by choice.
The twelve step programs require as the number one step, to acknowledge that an individual has no control over the “disease”. More or less, this only provides an excuse. The fact is, despite the claims of success, twelve step programs fail 98% of the time. That isn’t surprising considering the concept is to convince people that they are helpless against the alcoholism. Denial and blaming are all a part of the alcoholism. The idea should be to stop those ways of thinking and not to foster them. The alcoholic chose to take that first drink. They chose to continue to drink until they had an addiction. Their goal may not have been addiction, but they certainly realized it was a possibility.
* Alcoholism is not a disease and it is very curable.
Referring to alcoholism as a disease is simply too convenient. The alcoholic is not helpless. Cancer is a disease and many times, incurable. With the proper tools, an alcoholic can turn away from the ways of alcoholism and find a happier life for themselves. An alcoholic cannot and will not put aside the drinking unless they realize that they do have the power over the alcohol. It may not be an easy process to eliminate alcohol addiction, but it can be done.
Most people refer to alcoholism as a disease only because that is what they have heard. Checking the facts, however, it is easy to see that alcoholism is not a disease. Alcoholism is more like over eating than a disease. Over eating may be difficult to overcome, but it can be done, by choice and with the proper tools and the same is true with alcoholism.
“Someone who overeats chooses to put that food into their mouth. An alcoholic chooses to take that drink. As harsh as it may sound, those are the facts.”
* * * Alcoholics do have power over alcoholism; all they have to do is take advantage of it. * * *
Author: National Addiction Resources
America's Best Treatment Directory
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