There is a modal (spelling?) that shows how the brain is different in 'us', the alcoholic, and that of the non-alcoholic.

Alcohol effects my mind differently than it effects the mind of a non alcoholic. It may be a disease, an illness,an allergy or what ever. It may be learned, it may be genetic, or some combination of both. It make no difference because whichever the case, the first thing I must do to stop my life from getting worse is to not drink today.

Right on! Crusty Pie! That's for sure!

The disease model of alcoholism was introduced so that it could be treated in a hospital. It also sets the stage of a condition that is life long; those you accept the disease model believe they will never escape their alcoholism.

I agree with KarmicKiss. And, Jellinek's types of alcoholics includes two types that are not diseased, including a psychological and socially based alcoholic type.

People who feel they are diseased probably fit the description of one of the other three types that Jellinek describes as diseased.

The problem with a universial label of diseased is that it puts everyone in the same boat. It's like a black vs white thing. Alcoholism isn't like that. Not everyone is an end-stage alcoholic if they're not an alcoholic.

It is possible to live a sober life without attending meetings. 12-step programs acknowledge that it's possible, but they switch it around and say "they were never an alcoholic to begin with." It's just made to protect the program itself. If members believe they could get better, they wouldn't "keep coming back" to the guilt group.

Who's Jellinek? I didn't see that response.

I think it's a disease of body mind and spirit.Some will call it behavior related or a psychological addiction,but there are genetic and physiological factors.It is a disease that has as many forms as there are alcoholics.If it were all physical,it could be cured by medication and medical treatment.There is no permanent cure,but it can be arrested.

Well, for me, I don't beleive that it's genetic or in our genes, but I speak only for myself. I beleive it is a spiritual disease for sure, and has the power to take the best of us, and destroy us completly. I find it harder dealing with the damage that's been done to my spirit, rather than the physical things I went through. Sometimes we are taught alcoholism as children. For myself this is true. My father drank almost everyday while I was growing up. To me, alcoholism was as normal as one could imagine. I learned through what I was exposed to. The struggle that I experienced between alcoholism, and to have love from my father only compelled me to become as my father. It's what I grew up with. For me, I try not to get into debates on whether alcoholism is a disease, genetic or whatever. I think this can cause us to waste much time that could be better spent trying to learn and grow. It doesn't matter. What matters is that we address our problem first, and work from there.

I think you said it best.The spiritual aspects are what we need to heel from.