Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Help Header

Addiction: Primary Medical Disease or Symptom of Moral Shortcomings?

by Kate
(Australia)

If we were to accept, for a moment, the disease-concept, then the only claim that could be made is that addiction is a disease. It is ridiculous to focus specifically on alcoholism, which is just one of many possible addictions.

To accept the disease-concept would mean acceptance of all addictions as the same disease (addiction), including drinking, smoking, illicit drug dependency, gambling, caffeine, sex/love, work, exercise etc.

However, there is NO substantial evidence for the disease-concept - it is not widely accepted by the medical community in the way as heart disease, cancer, diabetes etc.

In analysing the issue, it is important to understand the history of the concept. The disease-concept regained popularity following the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous. But what do AA members mean when they refer to alcoholism as a disease?

Alcoholism is not defined in AA as an excess consumption of alcohol. In fact, alcohol is considered irrelevant, and is only mentioned once in the 12 Steps. AA members believe that the core of the problem is not alcohol, but the ISM.

The ISM is characterised by feelings of being restless, irritable and discontent. It is caused by a life characterised by moral and spiritual shortcomings, and can only be relieved by finding God through the 12 Steps.

Furthermore, whilst the concept of a physical disease is appealing to some, AA doctrine aligns more with the idea of a dis-ease than a medical condition. This is compatable with the ISM-concept of being restless, irritable and discontent, only curable by God.

Either way, the alcoholism is not actually perceived by AA members as a primary medical DISEASE, rather a SYMPTOM of the ISM/dis-ease which results from an absence of God in one's daily life.

Therefore, you are left with two choices. Either wait for medical consensus as to the nature, cause and treatment of alcoholism as a primary DISEASE. Or accept the AA definition of alcoholism as a SYMPTOM of moral and spiritual shortcomings, which can only be relived one day at a time through faith.

Comments for Addiction: Primary Medical Disease or Symptom of Moral Shortcomings?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Wonderful post NEW
by: Anonymous

I enjoys a lot while reading your posts because you explained your post very deeply in a very easy and clear language.

car window sticker

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
essay service NEW
by: Anonymous

Learning is only an astonishing affect ability that raises the human inward voice to bother experiences with all their restricted capacities to explore the endless. It affect the progression of distinctive assets in man to collect essay service fulfillment and flourishing in social life.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to The Controversial Alcoholism Disease Concept.





+1 Alcoholism-and-Drug-Addiction-Help.com  

FREE E-Course

"10 Essential Steps to Ending a Life of Alcoholism or Drug Addiction ... Permanently!"

This Course is packed full of valuable information and advice for overcoming addiction that you're unlikely to find anywhere else.

And if you subscribe now - we'll throw in a Special eBook that will help immensely in your struggle against addiction.
E-mail
Name
Then

Don't worry - your e-mail
address is totally secure.
Your details will NEVER be sold and you will NOT be spammed.



XML RSS
What is this?
Add to My Yahoo!
My MSN RSS button
Add to Google


Copyright © 2013 - Alcoholism-and-Drug-Addiction-Help.com - All Rights Reserved.