New book published today proves
alcoholics can recover and drink responsibly

A new book published today, "Phoenix in a Bottle," will prove that
alcoholism is not a disease or illness, but a self-harming behaviour
problem rooted in childhood, which alcoholics can correct and be able
to drink responsibly again if and when they so wish.

The authors are former alcoholics Lilian and Murdoch MacDonald, a
married couple from Ayrshire in Scotland.

Lilian and Murdoch's lives were devastated by alcoholism, but they
have now recovered so completely that they now not only lead normal
lives again, but are also able to drink in a perfectly sociable manner
once more.

That goes against the teaching of Alcoholics Anonymous, and of many
alcoholism treatment centres throughout the world. But Lilian (61) and
Murdoch (58) believe that lifelong sobriety is not the solution to
alcoholism, as this only treats the symptoms and not the causes of the
problem, and is merely a damage limitation exercise.

The couple argue that alcoholism, in common with other self-harming
disorders like bulimia, anorexia and self-mutilation, often stems from
problems experienced in childhood. And if these problems can be
identified and properly addressed, then the problem behaviour can be
cured.

Ten years ago the couple had hit rock bottom, sleeping rough for two
weeks on the streets of Cambridge, where a quarter of a century
previously as an undergraduate Murdoch had received an honours degree
in English Literature at Magdalene College. They had moved to Cambridge
from Ayr with the idea of Murdoch doing research for a doctorate, but
had reverted to their old habits, started binge drinking, and been
thrown out of their lodgings.

After a fortnight, and when they were just about at the end of their
tether, two nurses on their way home after a Saturday night out took
pity on Lilian and Murdoch, bought them a cup of tea and found them a
place in a homeless hostel.

They spent the next twelve months there getting to the roots of their
alcoholism. They tried AA one last time, before concluding that it was
a quasi-religious cult whose ideas on alcoholism were inadequate and
outdated.

Instead, by reading psychology, they decided that the causes of their
alcoholic behaviour lay in problems experienced during childhood. And
that once these problems were realised and addressed, there was no
longer any need for escape through alcoholism, and they could even
drink normally like other people again.

Ten years after selling newspapers from a stand in Market Square,
Cambridge, so that he and Lilian could get back on their feet
financially, Murdoch is now a freelance business and financial
journalist, and also runs his own public relations consultancy.

And in order to pass on the benefits of their experience to others who
still have problems with alcohol, the couple have written their book
"Phoenix in a Bottle".

Eminent American addiction expert Dr Stanton Peele PhD has read the
book, and commented:

"Phoenix in a Bottle is a modern version of The Days of Wine and
Roses, and tells the true story of how two people who entered a period
of desperate drinking stayed with one another in a close loving
relationship, and emerged from their alcoholism able to drink
responsibly again.

"Both a wonderful love story and a challenge to conventional wisdom
about how people can recover from drinking problems, Phoenix in a
Bottle gives people hope, and helps them to confront their own demons -
alcohol or otherwise."

"Phoenix in a Bottle" by Lilian and Murdoch MacDonald is published
today (May 31, 2005) by Melrose Books, price £16.99. It is available
through good bookshops or online direct from the publishers by logging
on to http://www.melrosebooks.com. It is also available from
http://www.amazon.co.uk (ISBN: 1905226144).

Web address to buy "Phoenix in a Bottle":
http://www.melrosebooks.com/detail.php?isbn=1905226144

Lilian and Murdoch's website:
http://www.alcoholicscandrinksafelyagain.com

WEBSITES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS / CLINICS / COUNSELLORS WHO AGREE WITH LILIAN
AND MURDOCH'S FINDINGS:

http://www.harmreductioncounseling.com/
http://www.nova.edu/gsc/
http://www.schaler.net/
http://www.addictionoptions.com/
http://www.peele.net/
http://www.habitdoc.com/
http://www.practicalrecovery.com/
http://www.behaviortherapy.com/
http://jameshamilton.typepad.com/james_hamilton/
http://www.rebt.org/
http://www.harmreductiontherapy.org/
http://www.doctordeluca.com/

PHOTOGRAPHY

Print quality jpegs are available from Fame Publicity Services, or can
be downloaded from http://www.alcoholicscandrinksafelyagain.com

Issued by Fame Publicity Services

Fame Publicity Services
10 Miller Road
AYR, Ayrshire
Scotland UK
KA7 2AY

Telephone: +44 (0)1292 281498
E-mail: famepublicity@aol.com

Contact:
Ross Hilton
Commissioning Editor
Melrose Books
St Thomas' Place
ELY, Cambridgeshire
United Kingdom
CB7 4GG

Telephone: +44 (0)1353 646608
Fax: +44 (0)1353 646602
E-mail: rosshilton@melrosebooks.co.

Web links:

http://www.pressbox.co.uk/Detailed/29127.html

alcocure@aol.com wrote:
> New book published today proves
> alcoholics can recover and drink responsibly
>
> A new book published today, "Phoenix in a Bottle," will prove that
> alcoholism is not a disease or illness, but a self-harming behaviour
> problem rooted in childhood, which alcoholics can correct and be able
> to drink responsibly again if and when they so wish.
>
> The authors are former alcoholics Lilian and Murdoch MacDonald, a
> married couple from Ayrshire in Scotland.
>
> Lilian and Murdoch's lives were devastated by alcoholism, but they
> have now recovered so completely that they now not only lead normal
> lives again, but are also able to drink in a perfectly sociable manner
> once more.
>
> That goes against the teaching of Alcoholics Anonymous, and of many
> alcoholism treatment centres throughout the world. But Lilian (61) and
> Murdoch (58) believe that lifelong sobriety is not the solution to
> alcoholism, as this only treats the symptoms and not the causes of the
> problem, and is merely a damage limitation exercise.
>
> The couple argue that alcoholism, in common with other self-harming
> disorders like bulimia, anorexia and self-mutilation, often stems from
> problems experienced in childhood. And if these problems can be
> identified and properly addressed, then the problem behaviour can be
> cured.
>
> Ten years ago the couple had hit rock bottom, sleeping rough for two
> weeks on the streets of Cambridge, where a quarter of a century
> previously as an undergraduate Murdoch had received an honours degree
> in English Literature at Magdalene College. They had moved to Cambridge
> from Ayr with the idea of Murdoch doing research for a doctorate, but
> had reverted to their old habits, started binge drinking, and been
> thrown out of their lodgings.
>
> After a fortnight, and when they were just about at the end of their
> tether, two nurses on their way home after a Saturday night out took
> pity on Lilian and Murdoch, bought them a cup of tea and found them a
> place in a homeless hostel.
>
> They spent the next twelve months there getting to the roots of their
> alcoholism. They tried AA one last time, before concluding that it was
> a quasi-religious cult whose ideas on alcoholism were inadequate and
> outdated.
>
> Instead, by reading psychology, they decided that the causes of their
> alcoholic behaviour lay in problems experienced during childhood. And
> that once these problems were realised and addressed, there was no
> longer any need for escape through alcoholism, and they could even
> drink normally like other people again.
>
> Ten years after selling newspapers from a stand in Market Square,
> Cambridge, so that he and Lilian could get back on their feet
> financially, Murdoch is now a freelance business and financial
> journalist, and also runs his own public relations consultancy.
>
> And in order to pass on the benefits of their experience to others who
> still have problems with alcohol, the couple have written their book
> "Phoenix in a Bottle".
>
> Eminent American addiction expert Dr Stanton Peele PhD has read the
> book, and commented:
>
> "Phoenix in a Bottle is a modern version of The Days of Wine and
> Roses, and tells the true story of how two people who entered a period
> of desperate drinking stayed with one another in a close loving
> relationship, and emerged from their alcoholism able to drink
> responsibly again.
>
> "Both a wonderful love story and a challenge to conventional wisdom
> about how people can recover from drinking problems, Phoenix in a
> Bottle gives people hope, and helps them to confront their own demons -
> alcohol or otherwise."
>
> "Phoenix in a Bottle" by Lilian and Murdoch MacDonald is published
> today (May 31, 2005) by Melrose Books, price £16.99. It is available
> through good bookshops or online direct from the publishers by logging
> on to http://www.melrosebooks.com. It is also available from
> http://www.amazon.co.uk (ISBN: 1905226144).
>
> Web address to buy "Phoenix in a Bottle":
> http://www.melrosebooks.com/detail.php?isbn=1905226144
>
> Lilian and Murdoch's website:
> http://www.alcoholicscandrinksafelyagain.com
>
> WEBSITES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS / CLINICS / COUNSELLORS WHO AGREE WITH LILIAN
> AND MURDOCH'S FINDINGS:
>
> http://www.harmreductioncounseling.com/
> http://www.nova.edu/gsc/
> http://www.schaler.net/
> http://www.addictionoptions.com/
> http://www.peele.net/
> http://www.habitdoc.com/
> http://www.practicalrecovery.com/
> http://www.behaviortherapy.com/
> http://jameshamilton.typepad.com/james_hamilton/
> http://www.rebt.org/
> http://www.harmreductiontherapy.org/
> http://www.doctordeluca.com/
>
> PHOTOGRAPHY
>
> Print quality jpegs are available from Fame Publicity Services, or can
> be downloaded from http://www.alcoholicscandrinksafelyagain.com
>
> Issued by Fame Publicity Services
>
> Fame Publicity Services
> 10 Miller Road
> AYR, Ayrshire
> Scotland UK
> KA7 2AY
>
> Telephone: +44 (0)1292 281498
> E-mail: famepublicity@aol.com
>
> Contact:
> Ross Hilton
> Commissioning Editor
> Melrose Books
> St Thomas' Place
> ELY, Cambridgeshire
> United Kingdom
> CB7 4GG
>
> Telephone: +44 (0)1353 646608
> Fax: +44 (0)1353 646602
> E-mail: rosshilton@melrosebooks.co.
>
> Web links:
>
> http://www.pressbox.co.uk/Detailed/29127.html
>
Half of that i can buy eccept for the child hood bit. I had the most
wonderfull parents and a realgood time as a kid.
It started with an accident i had in 1983 and i hit the ground after
flying over the roof of a car that id just T boned on my bike.
My neck was really damaged and nothing worked to rid the pain.
I spent thousands seeing this quack n that. But the dreaded booz kept me
out of pain for many years and so it was my way of carrying on with
life. Iv said for years that being an alchi is NOT a disease cos if it
is then so is smoking and they never state that as far as i know.

Not everyones the same are they.

<snip> see above for the full text of the original post.


--------------

As I understand the program of alcoholics as outlined in the Big Book of
Alcoholics Anonymous, AA is not the only way to achieve sobriety. It is
simply the only way that worked for us -- and me.


Bobby L

"xntrick" <xntrick@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:d7fglr$4gi$4@nwrdmz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
> Iv said for years that being an alchi is NOT a disease cos if it
> is then so is smoking and they never state that as far as i know.
>
> Not everyones the same are they.

Not everyone's the same, and certainly not everyone's beliefs are the same.
I believe for me that I suffer from a disease called addiction. Substance
abuse is an addiction. I suffer from a lifestyle of addictive behaviors, but
I'm working on them in the 12 step program of narcotics anonymous. Pretty
much the same as AA but more tolerant of all addiction conversation,
especially concerning all drugs.
The addiction disease I have included smoking. Today I've got that one in
check but all I have to do is light up just one and I'm back to full-time
regular use.
For me, addiction is my disease, and I can become addicted to just about any
substance or behavior if I'm not vigilant in my recovery.
Be well,
kevin
www.aliveandkickinggroup.com

"sportsfan" <nospamplease@fullofit.com> wrote in message
news:119ooisrts1f48f@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "xntrick" <xntrick@btinternet.com> wrote in message
> news:d7fglr$4gi$4@nwrdmz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...
>> Iv said for years that being an alchi is NOT a disease cos if it
>> is then so is smoking and they never state that as far as i know.
>>
>> Not everyones the same are they.
>
> Not everyone's the same, and certainly not everyone's beliefs are
> the same.
> I believe for me that I suffer from a disease called addiction.
> Substance
> abuse is an addiction. I suffer from a lifestyle of addictive
> behaviors, but
> I'm working on them in the 12 step program of narcotics anonymous.
> Pretty
> much the same as AA but more tolerant of all addiction
> conversation,
> especially concerning all drugs.
> The addiction disease I have included smoking. Today I've got that
> one in
> check but all I have to do is light up just one and I'm back to
> full-time
> regular use.
> For me, addiction is my disease, and I can become addicted to just
> about any
> substance or behavior if I'm not vigilant in my recovery.
> Be well,
> kevin
> www.aliveandkickinggroup.com

During my stints in the "drug scene, drug specific elitism was quite
common. Subsequently, if I remember correctly, staunch NA members of
my acquaintance have collectively, certainly individually,
demonstrated outright contempt for aspirin abusers in particular, and
other neurotics in general, who identified below the respective
"elite" level as addicts. An ironic counterpoint is the elitism of NA
refugees in AA, insisting "a drug is a drug is a drug" thus
alcoholics that don't identify with their drug addiction are somehow
"in denial"

Nevertheless, those plagued by systematic abuse could possibly learn
from the countless majority who have undoubtedly moderated from their
respective abuses and proven that so called disease of addiction,
expressed as mere abuse, is indeed curable.

"If a sufficiently strong reason - ill health, falling in love,
change of environment, or the warning of a doctor - becomes
operative, this man can also stop or moderate, although he may find
it difficult and troublesome and may even need medical attention."
http://anonpress.org/bb/Page_21.htm

http://www.moderation.org/whatisMM.shtml

Bob

"Robert McGregor" <robert_mcgregor@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:429cc888_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> During my stints in the "drug scene, drug specific elitism was quite
> common. Subsequently, if I remember correctly, staunch NA members of
> my acquaintance have collectively, certainly individually,
> demonstrated outright contempt for aspirin abusers in particular, and
> other neurotics in general, who identified below the respective
> "elite" level as addicts. An ironic counterpoint is the elitism of NA
> refugees in AA, insisting "a drug is a drug is a drug" thus
> alcoholics that don't identify with their drug addiction are somehow
> "in denial"

Interesting about the drug specific elitism. I know of none in the recovery
scene in my part of my state. Actually I know of none anywhere in my state
in the NA program but it may exist. I've been to meetings up and down the
east coast of the U.S. and pretty extensively in Florida and I can't
identify that anywhere I've been.
What I see most is respect for quality of recovery, not quantity of time in
the program.
As for alcoholics, I'm one, but I'm also in recovery for my addictions to
many drugs. My take on the NA position of "a drug is a drug" is telling drug
addicts that alcohol is a drug to them.
Folks can identify any way they please as far as I'm concerned. I just say,
"I'm an addict, my name is kevin" whether I'm at a NA or an AA meeting.
Be well,
kevin

"sportsfan" <nospamplease@fullofit.com> wrote in message
news:119q7ha74cj7mac@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "Robert McGregor" <robert_mcgregor@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
> news:429cc888_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
>> During my stints in the "drug scene, drug specific elitism was
>> quite
>> common. Subsequently, if I remember correctly, staunch NA members
>> of
>> my acquaintance have collectively, certainly individually,
>> demonstrated outright contempt for aspirin abusers in particular,
>> and
>> other neurotics in general, who identified below the respective
>> "elite" level as addicts. An ironic counterpoint is the elitism of
>> NA
>> refugees in AA, insisting "a drug is a drug is a drug" thus
>> alcoholics that don't identify with their drug addiction are
>> somehow
>> "in denial"
>
> Interesting about the drug specific elitism. I know of none in the
> recovery
> scene in my part of my state. Actually I know of none anywhere in
> my state
> in the NA program but it may exist. I've been to meetings up and
> down the
> east coast of the U.S. and pretty extensively in Florida and I
> can't
> identify that anywhere I've been.
> What I see most is respect for quality of recovery, not quantity of
> time in
> the program.

Yes, that is often a more subtle form of elitism, when "quality"
pertains more to doctrinal agreement than anything else. Again, "in
the program" holds entirely different, sometimes mutually exclusive
connotations, for different recovery cliques.

Actually, the fat guts aspirin addict/alcoholic at the forefront of
my recollections was often the subject of detrimental gossip by AAers
who considered peers in their particular clique/s as being
quintessential "quality sobriety."

Arguably however, coming as the "fat guts" had, from months in a
regional worst cases psychiatric ward under observation for suspected
Korsakoff's syndrome, to the sober man he was at that time, (and
continuing to improve, the last I saw him) entailed more objective
linear progress in recovery than his "quality sobriety" condemners
could muster, combined.

Must add, it was not until I was out of AA, thus with benefit of a
more impartial hindsight, that I realised a lot of that stuff.

Oh, well. I did not know what recovery really was, 'till I had
recovered, just as before that, I never knew what hopeless really
was, 'till I had been hopeless.

Bob

"Robert McGregor" <robert_mcgregor@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:429d5b8a_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> Yes, that is often a more subtle form of elitism, when "quality"
> pertains more to doctrinal agreement than anything else. Again, "in
> the program" holds entirely different, sometimes mutually exclusive
> connotations, for different recovery cliques.

"My" definition of quality has no doctrinal source that I know of. In it's
simplest definition, it's "I want what that person has." A sense of
well-being, serenity, humbleness, caring for others, type of way of life.
I have an average time of "quanity time in the progam of AA. That relates to
an above average quanity time in NA. I hang out there almost exclusively
because I can be of more service there.
"I" believe my time is very good quality time as well, I'm not close to the
person I was when I entered those rooms. I know of others who entered when I
did who although are still sober, suffer from most of the same addictive
behaviors that they did when they arrived with me.
"Quality time" for me is seen in some with 90 days sobriety... those doing
the work to recover from all those behaviors, not just putting down the
substance of addiction.


>
> Actually, the fat guts aspirin addict/alcoholic at the forefront of
> my recollections was often the subject of detrimental gossip by AAers
> who considered peers in their particular clique/s as being
> quintessential "quality sobriety."

Never heard of an aspirin addict I must confess, but I view addiction in a
broader sense. Alcohol, drugs, food, relationships, sex...tons of things
that can be addiction based. All recovery comes from the same desires to get
well I believe. For me it's a 12 step program with fellowship support.
I wish all the awesome recovery I enjoy.

> Oh, well. I did not know what recovery really was, 'till I had
> recovered, just as before that, I never knew what hopeless really
> was, 'till I had been hopeless.
I must admit I belong to the school that believes I suffer from the "disease
of addiction" from which I will never truly recover but if I keep trying to
work recovering every day, I'll have a life I never dreamed possible.
Be well,
kevin