Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
There has been controversy for over 200 years whether or not Alcoholism is a disease. I personally think it is. Actually, I think "addiction" in general is genetic and is passed down, and it can manifest in different ways in different people. I just wanted to know other opinions. Thanks!
Then what is alcoholism, IMO, yes, partial genetic, the addictive personality, partial enviorment, and our brains might be wired a little differently...the brain is so complex though....those who study it do not have all the answers still.....and still yet, do who cause our alcoholism? Do we rewire our brains after drinking for a period of time....
Bottom line....everyone can make there own assumptions, but I do not believe anyone know the ansawer FOR SURE....believe whatever you like, whatever helps you to get better....
I just do not like the label of disease....I think it is an excuse and we need to rid ourselves of all excuses of why we did this and look at our inner being or whatever...I know lots of you say its not an excuse but i think it is...YOU do have control when enough is enough, and you decide to stop...
And this might be because I do come from two alcoholics and have some issues but they have both been sober over 10 years...they decided when enough was enough...and I do not give them any disease excuse, yes they were sick and didnt mean what they did BUT ultimatly they did it and have to live with it, not blame it on this awful disease...
Then I became an alcoholic, after swaring to my step mom I would never.....and it was because I didnt care....I made lots of bad choices...I do not blame my parents....I do not think they gave me some disease...not great parenting BUT I made all my own decisions that lead to me being at this point....I do not and can not blame them....
this is life you make choices on how to act and what to put in your own hands, not because you where born with a disease and doomed from birth
Shew, if I thought that I may never want to have kids....
but the word "disease" does have it's benefits. i think it can be especially helpful for people who blame themselves for their drinking problems to understand that they aren't inherently bad/weak/worthless/etc b/c we aren't our own free agent after that first drink (of course, it's important to remember, for me at least, that i have complete power over alcohol if i don't touch the first drink--that first one is all on me. but i give up way too much of my freewill if i decide to take the first one)
wow--i have infinite rambling abilities :)
I was just thinking that I am totally in cahoots(sp) with the allergy gig..The only other thing that I have no doubt about is; That total abstinence is the only thing that I have to do,, to give myself a chance.
Merriam Webster Dictionary: 'disease: 2: a condition of the living animal or plant body or one of it's parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms. SICKNESS, MALADY'
Doesn't alcoholism as understood by AA have 'distinguishing signs and symptoms??
Substance Abuse Disorder
A maladaptive pattern of alcohol abuse leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one or more of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:
Recurrent alcohol use resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions or expulsions from school; or neglect of children or household).
Recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (e.g., driving an automobile or operating a machine).
Recurrent alcohol-related legal problems (e.g., arrests for alcohol-related disorderly conduct).
Continued alcohol use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the alcohol (e.g., arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication or physical fights).
These symptoms must never have met the criteria for alcohol dependence.
DSM-IV Criteria for Alcohol Dependence:
A maladaptive pattern of alcohol use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three or more of the following seven criteria, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:
Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
A need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication or desired effect.
Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol.
Withdrawal, as defined by either of the following:
The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for alcohol (refer to DSM-IV for further details).
Alcohol is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.
There is a persistent desire or there are unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use.
A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain alcohol, use alcohol or recover from its effects.
Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of alcohol use.
Alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the alcohol (e.g., continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption).