SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Quote:

Originally Posted by spicedT84 (Post 2560422)

I said I would never visit this site again but I have to say to Boleo,

You're god dam right buddy!

People could and should listen.:c011:

Hi Spiced. Just a couple of points: part of the confusion re: alcoholics (chronic or otherwise) is that there is no such diagnosis as "alcoholism." Problem drinkers generally are diagnosed as "alcohol abuse, " while alcoholics get a diagnosis of "alcohol dependence."

Next: my understanding is that, per AA, "alcoholism" is (more or less) an allergy of the body and an obsession of the mind. It is a biochemical problem by which an alcoholic processes the substance maladaptively, leading to the phenomena of craving. But the really insidious part is the obsession, which is pretty much unrelated to the actual use. It can, and often does, go on for years after the last use. It is the "insanity" and "unmanageability" to which the Steps refer.

However....take away the unique physical maladaptive processing, and what you have is simply another addiction to a substance. Technically, I am an alcohol addict, not an alcoholic. I do not experience that "one drink calling for another" sort of craving, although I don't think I've ever had just one. I drank to get high...just as I used other drugs (never did just one hit, one line or one joint, either). And I suspect there are lots of alcohol addicts who are labelled as alcoholics, but really aren't. The only significance to this difference IMO is that I can have just one drink without falling off the edge of the world. However...all that means is my relapse process is slower...more gradual. Having had one today, I'll have two tomorrow, etc. etc., and end up right where I began. I know....because I've tried it.

And very briefly: I am leery whenever I hear anyone saying what others "should" do. I try to mind my own business, which means YOU get to decide what you should do, not me. Also....my impression is that you are pretty angry. My experience is that anger is simply another drug that I use when I'm feeling threatened or hurt:a043::a043:. Two things that will always make any situation worse is alcohol and anger.

Love and tolerance works for me.

blessings
zbear