For decades people have believed that alcohol addiction is a disease. In fact, most psychologists, counselors, specialists and recovery groups today still believe that alcohol addiction is an incurable disease that must be managed for a lifetime, and that "there is no complete cure to stop drinking alcohol!
However, alcohol addiction is not a genetically predisposed disease that is handed down through faulty genes, and it is possible to stop drinking alcohol in 60 days!
The following theories represent the current bio-psychosocial disease model of alcohol addiction as presented by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as well as the U.S. medical community:
1.The biological theory - Suggests that habitual users of alcohol have a biological abnormality that causes them to develop an addiction. The theory suggests that certain individuals are genetically predisposed to addiction by a faulty gene or perhaps a chemical imbalance in the brain, which renders alcohol addiction an incurable disease!
2. The psychological theory - Views alcohol addiction as problematic behavior. In other words the individual uses alcohol to enjoy the effects that it has on the mind and body.
3. The sociological theory - Suggests that societies which produce higher levels of inner tensions such as guilt, stress, suppressed aggression and conflict have higher rates of alcohol addiction. Furthermore, the model suggests that societies that are permissive of and encourage such behavior have higher rates of addiction.
Alcoholism is not a disease
Millions of people in the United States have parents who suffered from alcohol addiction, while they are not addicted to substances of any kind, and never have been. However, it's no big secret that Alcoholics Anonymous believes that Alcoholism is a genetic disease since they attempt to enlist you for a lifetime of servitude in their organization!
It is also no big secret that people enjoy the effects of alcohol! But, why can some enjoy it occasionally while others need it daily? The stark difference here is that the occasional drinker is using it just for that; enjoying the experience while the habitual drinker is using alcohol to deaden the pain of their emotional trauma. In many ways, this is a solution for people addicted to alcohol! It diverts them from having to face the truth and deal with the emotional pain. But, I assure you there is a better way to deal with the emotional pain and rid ones self of addiction. One that doesn't include Alcoholic's Anonymous and can be utilized in the privacy of your home!
Alcohol addiction is not a disease because it is actually a symptom that arises due to the need to deaden the pain of underlying emotional trauma caused by family dysfunction. Once the emotional pain is removed and self-esteem is restored, the addiction disappears and alcohol becomes repulsive.
Most recovery groups including Alcoholics Anonymous place a great deal of emphasis on spirituality, powerlessness, and the emergence of a person's sense of soul. They claim many of the steps of the twelve-step program to be paradoxical. Concluding that you are powerless over addiction, but like magic, you some how become more powerful! The goal of the program is a spiritual awakening although they often admit that most people find it difficult to make this connection because they feel victimized by someone else's behavior. My experience teaches me to conclude that admitting you are powerless when it comes to overcoming alcoholism does not promote empowerment, and nor does it restore self-esteem! In my opinion, many of the twelve steps are not only unnecessary, but they are also counterproductive to making a spiritual connection, increasing self-esteem, and overcoming alcoholism. Although the spiritual aspect of AA is by far the most positive factor in the program, most people fail to make that connection and adopt victimization instead. Which leads us to the Sixty-Four Thousand dollar question; how can you restore self-esteem when you have concluded that you are a victim? The answer is you can't! The key to overcoming any addiction is first, liberating your self from the family dysfunction that has caused your emotional pain, and second, restoring your self-esteem. The likelihood that you will achieve those successes sitting in a church hall week after week, admitting that you are an alcoholic, counting the days of abstinence, and finding comfort in sharing your victimization with others is slim to none.
Best wishes,
David Roppo The Addiction Freedom Coach
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