I thought most AAers believed alcohol and drug abuse was based on inner problems that we have to confront after we put down our DOC. If that's so, then the rationale for alcoholism being a disease makes no sense. If drinking is more like a symptom of something else, then it can't be a disease in itself at the same time. Its like if you bite your nails when you're nervous.. no one would say you have a disease of biting nails.. they'd say..ok, lets see why he's biting his nail.