When starting the path towards recovery, there is a common refrain from counselors and longtime pillars in the twelve steps rooms and community. What people commonly will hear is that alcoholism is a disease. Furthermore, they told this disease has no cure and the most realistic hope to avoid backsliding into the shadows of alcohol abuse was the tables of a twelve-step program, finding a sponsor, and moving away from those people, places and things that could trigger relapse.
As a person just starting the journey towards a sane and sober life, these tenets make a lot of sense. Change is what the newly sober individual is seeking. Living a life built on manipulation and lies and the bad choices made while under the influence weighs heavy on the mind, body and soul of the alcoholic. Creating and maintaining a structure that will allow the addicted to turn away from the toxicity of their past lives and towards a more meaningful and fulfilling existence is THE priority.
Framing their affliction as a disease can be easily understood analogy for those looking to come to terms with their past behavior. In its most base tenets, the disease model theory states that chronic heavy drinkers establish a pattern of drinking that progressively gets worse and leads to the deterioration of body, mind and soul.
The condition of alcoholism persists involuntarily and the cravings associated with the condition are uncontrollable one set in motion. The only means to understand and hopefully alleviate this “disease” is through medical intervention.
Moreover, the alcoholic, because of their impairment, is neither morally nor legally responsible for their actions while under the influence. While the philosophy of the disease model can definitely give a framework for the newly recovering to understand the mechanisms behind their alcoholism, one must be careful to buy wholesale into the theory without considering other explanations.
The disease model, as stated earlier, is accurate in describing the helplessness an alcoholic feels and the feeling they can’t get better on their own without intervention. It also seems to alleviate the guilt and shame and can act as a motivator to seek treatment. Alcoholism (or addiction to drugs in general) is like a disease and a good analogy to get some footing in finding ways to break the cycle.
However, the disease concept regarding addiction seems to be based squarely in the court of the medical community. The medical community have been strong proponents of this theory because in simple terms if fits what they do. Those in the medical community rely on tight categorizations of problems whether they are physical or mental in nature.
There have been numerous studies done regarding the effect addiction has on brain chemistry as well as those parts of the brain responsible for decision making, judgment and especially behavior. Studies of this kind are promoted by medical bodies such as the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Drug Abuse, and the American Medical Association among others. While these studies’ outcomes can clearly state the point for addiction being a form of disease, there are other factors that seem to be not considered in the equation.
Some argue that the definitions and parameters listed in diagnostic manuals are not medical in nature, but have sociological roots. Factors such as upbringing, the whole nature vs. nurture debate, past experiences and set and setting in which alcohol use is fostered and reinforced are common themes. Alcoholism and addiction in general seems to describe behavior that is chronic and troubling which falls under social labels and mores reflecting the social climate. There is also the fact that some alcoholics and addicts can get better without medical treatment or by attending twelve step meetings like AA or NA.
The bottom line is there can be multiple explanations for the underpinnings of alcoholism and addiction in general. While these models and theories can help explain certain facets of the addiction phenomena, there isn’t a model or theory that is all-inclusive. Alcoholism (and by proxy addiction) has many different factors including socioeconomic and familial, thus an all-inclusive model would be irrelevant.
Author Bio
Tim Powers – bald, tattooed, a business professional by day and rocker by night. Sober by the grace of God since the 8th of May in the year of our Lord 2003. Sharing my stories and my self in order to pay it forward. You can follow me on Twitter @tpowersbass42.
Tim, I truely believe that environment and our interaction/reaction to the environment we live has a huge effect upon our decisions and the disease state. I agree with everything you state, especially your last paragraph. Rehab and a 12 Step program have given me the life that I have always desired as of today, but it may not be the path for others. As a recovery coach, I always keep that in the front of my mind when someone is asking for help.
I just joined this site but have been following in FB for awhile and find it one of the best sites I’ve seen so far. Its not anaceptic like some other sites are. Great job. Look forward to participating more.
Tim, I truely believe that environment and our interaction/reaction to the environment we live has a huge effect upon our decisions and the disease state. I agree with everything you state, especially your last paragraph. Rehab and a 12 Step program have given me the life that I have always desired as of today, but it may not be the path for others. As a recovery coach, I always keep that in the front of my mind when someone is asking for help.
I just joined this site but have been following in FB for awhile and find it one of the best sites I’ve seen so far. Its not anaceptic like some other sites are. Great job. Look forward to participating more.
The only people that I have seen recover and live completely sober of all drugs and alcohol and live happy life’s are those who had a spiritual awakening by working the 12 steps. The ones that I have seen trying counclers and physiologist seem to be getting by heavily medicated and unhappy. So many people are ashamed of the word god and the mere thought of it. It saddens me.
I’ve always kind of felt that addiction is something other than a disease. The disease concept does make sense, however I don’t believe in it entirely and I wish there were other options and examples to choose from. I’ve read articles like this before, and though the authors have made some very good points, they fail to provide and alternate explanation for addiction or addicts behavior…
Research shows half of problem drinkers recover on their own. Smart recovery is a new option and does not care either way on the disease model.
Thanks for your article. I believe that the reason for addiction in medical terms, is mostly irrelevant. Whether it is a disease, mental obsession or socioeconomic, has little significance, when it comes to recovery. In the early years of recovery the disease model helps multiple thousands start on a sustainable recovery journey. If calling it a disease facilitates this recovery, then that’s fine, the addict cares little for over intellectualism.
Look up how Jellyneck (sp?) created the disease model. Very interesting!!!
What blows me away about addiction is that this is looked at as a deficiency in spiritual matters. It is not. It is a brain disorder. And it should be treated as such.
When there are confirmed studies showing a Genetic Predisposition in the alcoholic, how can than be argued. Maybe you are just smarter than I??
I find it interesting that people in the recovery world that live as book keepers, electricians, blogsters, or musicians like to speculate about disease process and the Medical review process as if they have been to Medical School.
If you want to state your opinion, then great call it that.
But to throw out info as if you are an expert seems to be a piece of ego driven dishonesty to me, which is your recovery.. fine.
But to put it out there for someone seeking answers is irresponsible I believe and life threatening at worse.
Who exactly is your target audience for this piece ? And what was you goal in putting your speculations out there?
When there are confirmed studies showing a Genetic Predisposition in the alcoholic, how can than be argued. Maybe you are just smarter than I??
I find it interesting that people in the recovery world that live as book keepers, electricians, blogsters, or musicians like to speculate about disease process and the Medical review process as if they have been to Medical School.
If you want to state your opinion, then great call it that.
But to throw out info as if you are an expert seems to be a piece of ego driven dishonesty to me, which is your recovery.. fine.
But to put it out there for someone seeking answers is irresponsible I believe and life threatening at worse.
Who exactly is your target audience for this piece ? And what was you goal in putting your speculations out there?
I believe everything except for the part about legal and moral responsibilities. Yes it is a disease in my opinion, however the aftermath of the disease can leave a person subject to many ramifications. They were not their best selves when drinking, but they were ultimately responsible for the decisions they made while intoxicated. There’s a lot of clean up and work to be done in the recovering alcoholic’s life, and in the lives of their families. From the perspective of a loved one, there are many issues that need to be dealt with before all parties can move forward and achieve contentment with each other.
My comment was neither hateful or rude. I don’t know why it was deleted.
I wasn’t trying to be rude with my comments about moral and legal implications. I am married to a recovering alcoholic, and I like your mission and your page. I don’t understand why I was blocked.
There is more than one way to skin a cat… One size does not fit all. For a newly recovering person to focus time and attention on the causation (biology vs environment) of the illness is not beneficial to them as much as staying away from the next drink or drug. How that is accomplished will vary from person to person. Often overlooked is the bias of those dispensing the advice or suggestions of what is “best” for the newly recovering person. Treatment needs to be individualized and the choices available discussed with the person. Other aspects (ADL’s) need to be addressed simultaneously to achieve the best results. Keeping it as simple as possible can be a difficult task but can be accomplished. Often just by listening to the person and understanding their obstacles a plan can be formulated and adjusted to suit them to achieve success.
I appreciate your story, but with all due respect I have to agree with Issueman09 on this one. I have been an advocate for recovery since 1985 with being in recovery myself with a few 24 hours and A.A. has saved my life. I’m also a third year student majoring in Psychology and I have been studying people’s behavior for many many years now and have done many research papers on the disease of alcoholism. I’m also my own radio talk show Host that specializes in topics such as this. Do you know that a man named Benjiman Rush, a famous philospher known for “Reason” was the first to discover the disease concept of alcoholism back in 1745. He said, “Those that would partake in the drink alcohol would create an imbalance of the nervous system bringing harm to oneself, and any individual with this problem should not touch, not dwell, nor smell and should remain in complete abstinence of this beverage.” To what has been discovered today as the disease of alcoholism being a brain disorder that it effects every part of the brain, with the alcoholic having a genetic gene called the DRD2 gene mingled in with the dopamine system that sets off your reward and pleasure system. And the non-alcoholic does not have this gene and this is scenitifically been proven and its important that alcoholics know this information in why they are different from a social drinker and will never become a social drinker. You can’t make an alcoholic into a social drinker and you can’t make a social drinker into an alcoholic. You either are or you aren’t. It’s that simple. Even if your a heavy drinker and not an alcoholic you will never be an alcoholic for that person can stop at anytime if he doesn’t have the gene. Yes, environment will play a part and when doesn’t environment play a part, but really thats not always the case with alcoholism because its not prejudice and will strike anyone from any walk of life, rich or poor, white or black, it doesn’t matter, one thing for sure its out to kill you, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, but it will surly succeed if you let it and don’t seek help. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ritahodges Thurs nites at 7pm CT The Serenity Show
a world of ignorance!? i was born allergic 2 alcohol !? probably !? perhaps !? have no scientific evidence 2 support this conclusion !? my opinion based on 20 yrs of experience ergo my ‘fact’. !? solution ! don’t drink alcohol !? that’s the nature of it.!? i’m sure there r many peeps born allergic to alcohol as to other substances they just don’t use them, simple huh!? so nature is not the problem ??? ‘ my inspiration ‘4 life was taken from me as a child this was replaced with depression !? unbeknown 2 the child !? cunning , baffling and powerful, eh !? thus the nightmare began !? spiritual malady ? sort that out ( 12 steps ) and yule staighten out mentally and physically ??!! and it’s all in the B/Book ? clear cut precise instructions ?! why can’t u peeps see this !?
Issueman79–this article was not written as an opinion piece and it is not meant to be a “be all end all” clinical. This piece was to demonstrate some of the thoughts and views behind the disease model. Perhaps the title of the article set the tone in your mind. Of course, there are genetic predispositions with addiction and alcoholism…I have a research degree in Psychology and have read about the studies done in twins concerning predisposition. However, if anything that I “offer” as an opinion, it is that people may focus way too much on the genetic and biological and not give shrift to the other factors that definitely play a role in the onset and development of addiciton.
To answer your assertion about ego driven dishonesty….hardly. Ego inflation isn’t part of my program and never will be part of my program…10 years and still going strong here.
Issueman79–this article was not written as an opinion piece and it is not meant to be a “be all end all” clinical. This piece was to demonstrate some of the thoughts and views behind the disease model. Perhaps the title of the article set the tone in your mind. Of course, there are genetic predispositions with addiction and alcoholism…I have a research degree in Psychology and have read about the studies done in twins concerning predisposition. However, if anything that I “offer” as an opinion, it is that people may focus way too much on the genetic and biological and not give shrift to the other factors that definitely play a role in the onset and development of addiciton.
To answer your assertion about ego driven dishonesty….hardly. Ego inflation isn’t part of my program and never will be part of my program…10 years and still going strong here.