Personally I believe its a disease but does it really matter?
As long as you take action and to something about the "problem"

Cynicalcat, this is a thread on the disease aspect from not too long ago which had a ton of responses which you might find interesting...

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Alcoholism/forum/10050581-disease

IMO - it's a disease there is more information out there that says it is than it isn't. Does it really matter if it's a disease or not - something that causes that much destruction in somebody's life is just horrible whether you attach a label to it or not.

Peace!

I stick to literature that was written by addicts for addicts. But thanks for inciting what will invariably turn ugly around here.

I personally believe it's a disease. If you don't, that's awesome. Go out and try some "controlled" drinking, then come back and tell us how it went. If you have been successful I am quite certain most of us would love to learn how you did it.

Thanks, whos. I'll check that link in a sec. :)
******
Lucys, I'm not inciting anything. Just asking for opinions. If people cannot have a discussion w/o getting heated, I cannot & will not take responsibility for those people. We're all here to get better, right? Not everyone has the same feelings.

Had I made a post touting how much this article is truth & how the disease concept is shite, that, my friend, would be inciteful. Next time, please do not accuse me falsely. Thanks.
*************
To all others, thanks. Part of me also thinks, who cares what it's called: addiction, disease, etc.? Right now I'm in a phase where I'm being open-minded/ exploring the literature & just checking out a lot of sources. :)

Hi Cynical,

This topic comes up now and then and folks do get riled! In my opinion, it is not a disease. People use alcohol for various reasons (that they certainly need to explore if they hope to grow -on many levels).

I think alcoholism is a tendency that we are born with. Our experiences add to it (we learn to drink to be more sociable or to hide or whatever) and before you know it you are hooked. Nature and nurture, in other words.

It's great that you are asking questions. Good for you for having the gumption to fully explore this sobriety business you find yourself in.

Knowledge is power? Sounds great, until it is clear that there really are no clear answers to some things. I reckon that's why people get so worked up about this topic.

I'm sorry cynicalcat. I just speak from experience whenever the disease concept is brought up by anyone, including myself, it usually explodes into something we didn't intend. I meant no offense really. When i read the title of your post I thought it was a statement, not the title of the article in the link.

No problem. That's my fault. I should've put it in parenthesis. Sorry if I offended anyone.

I don't care one way or another...and haven't had that stance effect my sobriety yet. If I argue it would, so I just let it go like a balloon. Wave bye bye.
btw the Shrinks and Docs change their mind all the time.
I can find 6 arguing one way and 6 the other......abit entertaining because it seems to matter so much to some ppl.

ML

All I know is when I got into a very traumatic situation and started drinking for relief...I wanted to stop, but I couldn't.
It was just impossible and I lost some friends due to my drinking.
Alcoholism runs in my family, but my siblings can drink in moderation.
I used to be able to...but now I can't.
There is a deep seated reason for my drinking...but I also "feel" some kind of allergy or chemical difference is in my genetics.
Don't anybody get mad please...this is just my experience.
Love you all so much...and am doing so much better! Thanks!

The article is full of holes and argues for or against incorrect premises to suit its own thesis.

Not at all reliable.

hi cynical-I think it is good you are researching and thinking about this. We can use our brains, and be diligent in finding our own truth. In the end, it is important to be at terms with what drinking "means" to you.

For me, this disease concept is semantics and I truly am sometimes a bit at odds with it myself. Nonetheless, I do know that drinking is toxic and deadly for me-why that occured I believe was largely genetic and then by my own choice.

Disease or not? A big reason we all should like it being called a disease, is that professionals in the medical community treat you better and not like some morally degenerate (some still do anyway though). And with this disease concept, insurance is more likely to pay for some of the treatment of alcoholism. We are taken more seriously!

So, in my heart of hearts I do know I am wired differently than non-alkis. But diseased? I am not completely sold, but still open for a good discussion like this one.

I suppose that one can believe that it a disease. Or a complete and utter breakdown of an individual's moral fiber. That means if it is not a disease then us drunks are just morally bankrupt losers.
Unless one uses the alcoholism definition in the big book - that of a malady manifested in two parts. The big book never calls alcoholism a disease - the word disease is only used once in the first 164 pages. On page 64.
As others have said, it is splitting hairs. Once one knows they cannot drink, they are faced with a choice. Stop drinking or die in misery...
Hugs,
Dennis

A disease is an illness that gets progressively worse and eventually kills you right. Sounds like what ive got, but its complicated. Its like im the one constantly shoving the disease down my throat, why would anyboby want to give themselves a disease. I feel guilty and i dont want to call it a disease like cancer, because those poor people didn't have a choice, i did. MMM, i don't know,as i say its complicated.

Cynical, Incite away! Inciting, riling, questioning, griping, and bitching are necessary components of DS.