On 23 Jan 2005 13:00:45 -0800, "dougwa" <tedw2@earthlink.net> wrote:

>Why Alcoholism and Addiction are not diseases
>
>"Is the disease model of alcoholism scientific? No. Simply calling
>behavior a disease process does not make it one, even if doing so
>assists in creating sobriety. Is the treatment policy based on bad
>science? Yes. Is there any chance that this attitude will change in the
>near future? Bloody unlikely". JEFFREY A. SCHALER-Silver Spring-The
>writer was chairman of the Montgomery County Drug Abuse Advisory
>Council.
>
>
>"The debate over the disease concept of addiction is not a
>meaningless intellectual exercise, for any framework for understanding
>AOD problems exerts a profound influence on the lives of individuals,
>families, social institutions and communities"- By William L.
>White,M.A. , Counselor: The magazine for Addiction Professionals.
>
>
>When AA co-founder Bill Wilson was asked in 1960 about AA's position on
>the disease concept, he offered the following response:"We have never
>called alcoholism a disease because, technically speaking, it is not a
>disease entity. For example, there is no such thing as heart disease.
>Instead, there are many separate heart ailments, or combinations of
>them. It is something like that with alcoholism. Therefore, we did not
>wish to get in wrong with the medical profession by pronouncing
>alcoholism a disease entity. Therefore, we always called it an illness,
>or a malady - a far safer term for us to use."
>
>************************************************* ***********************************
>
>Why Alcoholism and Addiction are not diseases I am a long time member
>(20+ years of sobriety) of Alcoholics Anonymous And Narcotics
>Anonymous. I have read all the AA and NA approved literature regarding
>these addictions being a disease. Most members of Anonymous programs
>are indoctrinated with the idea they have a disease almost from the
>start. Considering the lost confused state they are in ,it is no wonder
>most accept the idea uncritically. It is also true that most drinkers
>and drug addicts do not believe they have a disease when they are
>using. But is this idea true? And is it helpful or harmful. Their have
>been books wriiten on this subject , most notably "The Useful Lie" by
>William Playfair which is worth reading. The truth of the matter is
>that there is no scientific proof that addictions are a disease,
>although many assert that there is. Stanton Peel (author of Diseasing
>of America ) has reviewed most of the scientific evidence and it is
>clear to the objective observer there is no scientific proof that
>addictions are diseases. The purpose of this short essay is not to
>argue the point and it is recommended the sincere seeker read Peeles
>work if he wants to review the so-called evidence. Belief in a lie can
>effect behavior. If a person truly believes he has a disease which
>triggers an allergy then he may indeed not drink or use drugs. It is
>also true if a person is hypnotized into believing he is a Rooster, he
>will crow like a Rooster. Why is this idea so appealing? First of all,
>the alcoholic/addict does not know what is wrong with him and this is
>an explanation. It is alsoappealing to the Alcoholic because most
>alcoholics/and addicts have done terrible things. The idea of having a
>disease is appealing. I have on occasion heard people in meetings say
>they were relieved to "find out"they had a disease and that they were
>"sick" people not bad people. It is easier for a proud, wrong person to
>admit there is something wrong with his body than admit there is
>something wrong with his soul. And that is what is wrong with the
>disease concept. The alcoholic/addict is a sinner in need of
>repentance. He needs to see his prideful, resentful,angry, disobedient
>sinful nature, and feel the attendent pain. This Godly pain is what the
>scripture refers to in the beatitudes "Blessed are they that mourn, for
>they shall be comforted".Belief in a lie does not save,Belief in the
>tuth does. Think of it, the entire "treatment"industry in the United
>States is based on a lie.
>
>
>Ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free-Jesus Christ.
>Copyright-http://Christianrecovery.blogspot.com
>
The alcoholic/addict is a sinner in need of
>repentance. He needs to see his prideful, resentful,angry, disobedient
>sinful nature, and feel the attendent pain.

sheesh,another planet heard from

Regards

Daveb