Disease? Addiction? Who Says?

Is being an alcoholic a disease or an addiction?"

Ladybug

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Ladybug, alcoholism is BOTH and NEITHER a disease or an addiction and whether it is or is entirely reliant upon who is defining those words. It is totally subjective - and that is very dangerous because there is human motive involved. It can be deadly. People DIE when they get their definitions and descriptions screwed up and under the thumbs of those who want to nothing but pick their pockets and bank accounts.

Depending on the motive for adopting whichever definition -- and that is usually money --- there will be great and differing of opinions. By my own understanding of alcoholism it should not universally be characterized by either word in describing it. It is a malady and one can become addicted to alcohol - but both of these factors do no come to to describing alcoholism or the alcoholic. People who make money from treating 'addictions' will try to call it an "addiction" and people who make money treating 'disease' will try to make us believe it is a "disease". It enough people could be convinced that it was an occupation I believe there would be "job training" - 'How to become an alcoholic' - for sale.

It is all about money. And we should not kid ourselves otherwise - it doesn't matter how "concern" and "compassionate" the TV interventionist and "counselors" appear to be onscreen - once the cameras role these are ACTORS who get paid for their performances - and it doesn't matter ho many "certificate" they have or how long the can stretch their faces.

If you want a clear description ask someone then you have to get off the money trail and go to someone who is objective and doesn’t make money off of us believing THEIR DESCRIPTION - “Alcoholics Anonymous” is just like that and has helped more alcoholics recover from alcoholism - for no money - than addictions specialists and physician doctors will ever hope to admit into their facilities.

They have been doing for over seventy years and do it the best. Alcoholism is a field that was long abandoned by the medical field - I suspect because alcoholics never do what they are told to do and they never pay their bills.

Well, alcoholics still don't follow directions well but now we have health insurance companies paying for "treatments" right? And suddenly the guys with the white smocks , the tongue depressors and the BMWs are all overt it? There is now an "Addictions" Treatment Industry complete with "Board Certification"? Are we frakin' nuts, stupid or both? They want the business back, now? After years - nay, centuries of leaving alcoholics to die in gutters and asylums?

I was suffering from an illness that only a spiritual experience could conquer - not a disease or an addiction that a stint in rehab, 90-in-90 or lots of meetings, of good friends could conquer and if lead a real alcoholic like me to anything other than that one single, real solution I risk his life and I am culpable when he suffers and dies.

I smell rats. Rich, greedy rats with long faces and compassionate eyes.

Peace,

Danny S - RLRA
Real Live Recovered Alcoholic
http://recoveredalcoholic.blogspot.com/