The "addictive personality" requires eternal vigilance

Interesting article. I know that I have had some kind of "addiction" in the past to exercise, hobbies etc but all it took was some self discipline to get back on track. I was addicted to nicotine years ago but I broke the smoking thing with willpower. I have read somewhere that nicotine is one of the most addictive substances but my alcoholism is something totally different.

I know from my own experience that alcoholism is not the same as addiction to other mind altering substances. It is a fatal progressive illness that affects mind and body. My body processes alcohol differently to normal drinkers and my thinking is affected. Not only that I had a spiritual malady. So today, by having had a spiritual awakening as the result of the 12 Step programme, I am recovered. Living a spiritual life continues to solve all my problems if I apply spiritual principles to them.

i go to na and aa because i have used many drugs and for me i consider alcohol as my main drug of choice but alcohol is a drug and i find its all the same and the solution is the same. thanks for the link :)

Interesting. I guess for me I go back to the fact is I'm alcoholic. It doesnt matter what I think about that, or what other issues I may or may not have. That's the primary source of all my other add on addictions, and the only one I couldnt walk away from w/ out willpower alone. Now of course I avoid all / any/ every mind altering substance and the only drugs I've taken since I started AA were administered by a DR for surgery, or taken for a short period of time for after care.
There are no easier softer ways for me.

Yes, I read it.
I agree with AntoniaB that alcoholism is not only an addiction, it is a fatal progressive illness.
I didn't like the article's conclusion that says something like if a person doesn't want to live a healthy life is in danger of relapse. Dangerous to suggest that if an alcoholic gives up alcohol does it on his or her "wants". I never ever wanted to be an alcoholic and always wanted to stop drinking! I couldn't be a sober today without my God, without AA. It is a miracle and not me.
It is only trivial that we all "want" to live a worthwhile life.
I don't care which part of my brain is effected. I don't care that I have "an addictive personality". I care about God, myself, my loved ones, my fellow recovering alcoholics, about the ones who are still suffering....I care about lots of things and people and events in this world.. But I am not perfect! what a shame!
Sorry, folks, that's how I feel in this moment. It is a sort of resentment, isn't it? My apologies to you, to the writer of the article. I can't change the article, can I? And perhaps helps to somebody, who knows. Perhaps even helps me. To consider different opinions and options, for example. But the good old AA principles - trying to follow them, that's what the most important to me.

I don't believe in the "addictive personality" neither is alcoholism an addiction. I was not addicted to alcohol, I am an alcoholic - it's different.

If alcohol was truly addictive practically the whole population would be addicted to it and AA would be overwhelmed!!

Not sure I agree with Antonia that alcohol is an addiction either but I am thinking about it as I type. I drink cola but not addicted to it but lots of people are addicted to it and same with caffeine - smoking - pills. I take some relaxants when the arthritis gets bad but again not addicted yet others can be.

alcohol is an adiction.tat should be a no brainer

Just a though on addiction:

If you keep doing something unhealthy and can't stop doing it there is a good chance your addicted.

Reply#6

"I was not addicted to alcohol, I am an alcoholic - it's different." Hmmm I guess whatever works for ya.

They say, Noah was(or got drunk) , If you had his problems you'd drink toooo....noooooooooooooo soowwwy....I was moved by either the dogma, my own perception or maybe it was the apple versus oranges argument! The possibilities are far more involved than ..at least in my experience ..than a either or Question ...Maybe a History lesson might help. Here's a couple of other interesting takes on the matter :))

http://www.aabibliography.com/slaying_dragon_bill_william_white.html

http://www.ncadd.org/index.php/about-ncadd/testimonials-from-the-media
Enjoy,
Billy

Thanks Bob and pretty true for me. I work with my doc when needing pain killers and also found exercise was addictive so keep that in check too. Everything in moderation... well maybe a little extra chocolate :}

Re my earlier reply - I talked about what I might view as addictions I have had but did not say I thought alcoholism is an addiction. I don't, my alcoholism I don't view as an addiction. I'm sure I was born an alcoholic and I believe that I inherited genes for this illness.

In my view, addiction can happen to anyone if they take something known to be addictive. I know myself that I have the capacity to even become psychologically addicted to certain things but I can deal with those things by myself or with a bit of professional help. Alcoholism is not like that. I know loads of people who can take or leave alcohol all their life because their bodies process alcohol as they should, my body does not and results in alcoholic craving once I ingest any alcohol. Coupled with the alcoholic insanity I was beyond human aid. That's why I needed a spiritual solution which I received through AA.