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

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

Go to your church and tell them all about it.Keep that preaching out of
my meeting.
"Sepp"

"dougwa" <tedw2@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:1106514045.710576.314180@z14g2000cwz.googlegr oups.com...
> Why Alcoholism and Addiction are not diseases

[snip]

> 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."

Doug,
It seems to me that in the absence of more definitive information, this
is largely a jargon issue. The difference between "an illness or a malady,"
on the one hand, and "a disease," on the other hand, may be useful to a
clinician; but it is trivial, and perhaps misleading, to the sufferer.
It is useful to consider what Bill W. said about heart disease: "For
example, there is no such thing as heart disease. Instead, there are many
separate heart ailments, or combinations of them."
If a medical professional can identify one or more of the many separate
ailments, or combinations, that comprise alcohol addiction, then perhaps
that medical professional might be able to suggest potential separate and
distinct remedies that could be applied to such separate ailments.
In the absence of any meaningful data identifying separate ailments,
however, the 12 step program is one remedy that has had demonstrated success
in dealing with the generalized illness or malady that is alcohol addiction.
Until I see some convincing evidence of success using another approach,
I personally will continue to use the one that has worked for me and to
recommend it to others who are suffering from the same illness or malady.
Best regards,
Dan

>"The debate over the disease concept of addiction is not a
>meaningless intellectual exercise....

I think it is, as far as treating the causes of my abnormal behavior. I'm an
alcoholic by reason of my insane insistence that my excessive drinking was
ok, and that all those who persisted in "nagging" me about it just didn't
understand. And even when I could see that alcohol was a problem, I could
not do anything about it on my own.

I think it was a measure of Bill W's wisdom that he concentrated not on the
disease problem, but on the problem that we all were aware of: how our
lives were going and how we felt, emotionally and physically. While, sadly,
there are many too "intelligent" to recognize the simplicity of the AA
program of recovery, no drunkard is too dull-witted to know how he feels
and, God willing, wants to feel better. In fact, the more devastating his
condition, the more willing he is likely to be to "go to any lengths".

Certainly the disease concept is also important, but that's where the
medical profession gets into the act. We must rely on them to evaluate and
help us repair the physical and mental damage we have caused ourselves.

AA hugs to y'all,

Nat
Oxford, Arkansas

The hallmarks of any disease, according to my doctor friends is that it must
meet the following three criteria: 1. Chronic, meaning left untreated it
will not go away on its own. 2. Progressive, meaning that, untreated, the
illness will get worse. 3. Fatal - it'll kill ya. Surely alcoholism meets
all these standards.

Bill A.

This is a pileup of pseudo-intellectual camel and cow dung! Fifty-one
years of day-to-day application of AA Recovery with God's Help convinces
this Obsessive-Compulsive and Agressive -Repulsive perpetrator and
Chronically Intoxicated Disciple of The Grape that Alcoholism is a
Disease and not a Disgrace! Intellectuals love to scribe for the masses
because they cannot communicate one-on-one with them. KISSs!

Happy + Credible + Free!

nice summary bill!

--
http://img195.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img1...dcp00330kx.jpg





<bill@eastside.com> wrote in message
news:uEeMd.18522$8Q.8855@okepread06...
: The hallmarks of any disease, according to my doctor friends is
that it must
: meet the following three criteria: 1. Chronic, meaning left
untreated it
: will not go away on its own. 2. Progressive, meaning that,
untreated, the
: illness will get worse. 3. Fatal - it'll kill ya. Surely
alcoholism meets
: all these standards.
:
: Bill A.

In article <7351-420206B2-156@storefull-3115.bay.webtv.net>, Frack101
@webtv.net says...
>
> This is a pileup of pseudo-intellectual camel and cow dung! Fifty-one
> years of day-to-day application of AA Recovery with God's Help convinces
> this Obsessive-Compulsive and Agressive -Repulsive perpetrator and
> Chronically Intoxicated Disciple of The Grape that Alcoholism is a
> Disease and not a Disgrace! Intellectuals love to scribe for the masses
> because they cannot communicate one-on-one with them. KISSs!
>
> Happy + Credible + Free!
>
>
>
Alcoholics are foul, crude and smelly.
--

"Kennedy's Can't Fly."

OK doug, we know you don't like anything other that you 'christian'
recovery method. GET OVER IT.