dougwa
01-23-2005, 04:00 PM
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
"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