Alcoholism as a Disease
- Thread starter karrie
- Start date
My mother and godfather were alcoholics. But succumbing to alcoholism is a choice as both were the type to always demand sympathy for their problems. Luckily, my mother decided late in life to use her time constructively and became a very productive person who volunteered for local community groups. My godfather (a great scholar who never found use for his advanced college degrees) never got over his hassles and died on skid row.
I drink a beer every once in a while, and never succmbed to alcohol dependency. Why sit around and demand sympathy when constructivism will make you forget your problems and make you into a better person?
As it says in the Bible, work from sunrise to sunset and you'll be a better person for it.
I drink a beer every once in a while, and never succmbed to alcohol dependency. Why sit around and demand sympathy when constructivism will make you forget your problems and make you into a better person?
As it says in the Bible, work from sunrise to sunset and you'll be a better person for it.
dis·ease
/dɪˈziz/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[di-zeez] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, -eased, -eas·ing. –noun 1.a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment. 2.any abnormal condition in a plant that interferes with its vital physiological processes, caused by pathogenic microorganisms, parasites, unfavorable environmental, genetic, or nutritional factors, etc. 3.any harmful, depraved, or morbid condition, as of the mind or society: His fascination with executions is a disease. 4.decomposition of a material under special circumstances: tin disease. –verb (used with object) 5.to affect with disease; make ill.
According to this, alcoholism does fit the definition of a disease. That doesn't need to be seen as an excuse though. Knowing that you are creating the disease yourself by adding toxins to your system, I would think would almost HELP a person to walk away from alcohol.
Kar , I my self does not smoke or take hard drink at all but my defination of alcoholism is you take one glass or two glassess of wine or whisky ones in a blue moon
so by your definition, the majority of the population are alcoholics. I can't say I agree with that.
Yes, drinking is a personal choice, but when that choice is devastating to your family, they also
have to make a choice, so they can "live".
My dad was a part of AA on and off, but it is the "lesser" of two evils, but I would rather see the
positive side, the person is sober, as, when they are drunk they are "pitiful" and "ashamed", and
also, they are there to help other "drunks" just as they were helped, and if they fall off the wagon,
there is others who will help them. They lean on each other, they understand each other. I went
to AA meetings with my dad when I was about 12, then on and off till I was about 25, and I met
many of the members. It was a place my dad could hang out, play pool, and cards, a very positive
environment.
Talloola
I agree with you about the socialization aspect of AA for former drinkers and those who are still on the wobbly line.... and it is great you were able to participate as well with your dad.
I know for some drinkers they have to pass through some challenges - say going out to dinner with others who still drink and have no problem with alcohol - while they must get through dinner looking at the drinks.... some never seem to be able to get past the "withdrawal" stage and are forever dry drunks.
But some who remain in AA never learn for themselves they have separated from that habitual drinker into one who has made the choice to abstain because they don't get back into the world to test themselves.... perhaps it is too frightening and much safer to remain in AA.
I don't know and I shouldn't pass judgment.... but for the two family members I wrote about..... they have been sober for years and years and I feel AA keeps them "unsure" rather than "empowered".
I guess for some it is more comfortable to stay with the familiar rather than try exploring new things.
Which may be the root cause of their drinking in the first place... insecurity and shyness in social situations... and we know booze can help those two things along pretty well.
I agree with you about the socialization aspect of AA for former drinkers and those who are still on the wobbly line.... and it is great you were able to participate as well with your dad.
I know for some drinkers they have to pass through some challenges - say going out to dinner with others who still drink and have no problem with alcohol - while they must get through dinner looking at the drinks.... some never seem to be able to get past the "withdrawal" stage and are forever dry drunks.
But some who remain in AA never learn for themselves they have separated from that habitual drinker into one who has made the choice to abstain because they don't get back into the world to test themselves.... perhaps it is too frightening and much safer to remain in AA.
I don't know and I shouldn't pass judgment.... but for the two family members I wrote about..... they have been sober for years and years and I feel AA keeps them "unsure" rather than "empowered".
I guess for some it is more comfortable to stay with the familiar rather than try exploring new things.
Which may be the root cause of their drinking in the first place... insecurity and shyness in social situations... and we know booze can help those two things along pretty well.
I believe we are not discussing about any ones "character" here and if you want the I can discuss about your character which is .......... :laughing7: , so better not to repeat the same...
Because the medical community was so desperate to treat alcoholism the needed a disease model ,thats how it started --the medical community needs thing in compartments ,(sorry western North American medical) you know the society that just started to accept alternative therapy besides drugs and more drugs oh and surgery ---It probably was a money thing to get funding --lo
Temperance
That (your reasons) plus the fact chronic alcoholism causes some pretty nasty physical degeneration not to mention the accidents and beatings and mental deterioration.
Nearly every chronic alcoholic has some presenting physical/mental problems which necessitates medical intervention.
That (your reasons) plus the fact chronic alcoholism causes some pretty nasty physical degeneration not to mention the accidents and beatings and mental deterioration.
Nearly every chronic alcoholic has some presenting physical/mental problems which necessitates medical intervention.
if you are an Alcoholic , and keep your self doing the same over the period of time what I belive you are a living Dead Body....