Ism
 

Would thinking, but not typically acting on that thought be an "ism" that they speak about in AA?

I sponsor myself

On "ISM'S" - Pretty muddy waters we are stepping in here. What because we say "Alcoholism" we take the last 3 words and relate it to any addiction?

Gamblism
Narcoism
Sexism
Smoke'ism
Workism

Addiction is just an addiction. Its all exactly the same, when we talk about the alcoholic, its the same mind frame as the druggie, gambler, pill popper, workaholic, sex addict. If one is good, 100 is even better!

Internal Spiritual Maladjustment.

That's about the best description of the isms talked about in AA.

Essentially they show up in life as "immature emotions"

Can't deal with stress, anxiety, anger, sadness etc etc, so we drank to escape them.

I like the saying, "It's alcoholISM, not alcohoWASM."

Linz, what kind of thought are you referring to?

Linz,

what thought?

and no, i haven't found that "addiction is just addiction" holds true for me. i had no smokism or nicotinism, but i do have alcoholism

Any other "isms" are other "isms". I think folks try and add too much to the addiction, when typically "isms" are just "humanism". Not all behaviors are tied to the inability to drink alcohol in a moderate fashion. I think we try to lump everything into one big ball, when our lives are really a jar of marbles.

interesting take there Hawks..

I See Me

Internal spiritual malady. Treat that and the drink problem will cease to exist.

Another is incredibly short memory, referring to the lack of an effective defence against the first drink that can be experienced at certain times.

Right on in my view! :tyou

BE WELL

Just thoughts in general. I make plans all day long, and have made so many plans that I've run out of room on the calendar. But have I done any of those things? Mostly not.

er...isn't that just called procrastination?
:)

Alcohol-ISSUES = the consequences that follow drinking too much.

Alcohol-ISM = the subtle insanity that precedes drinking too much.

This appears to be an AA construct which is predicated on the thought that there are things wrong with you in the complete absence of alcohol, that are responsible for your alcohol consumption. If you remove alcohol, you are still left with ISM. The things I have seen described as ISMs here and elsewhere in the AA context are common reactions many of us have to everyday events. Selfishness, irritability, inability (at times) to self regulate, impatience, lack of empathy, emotional immaturity, a desire for attention and approval are listed as components of ISM. Some think that these characteristics are capable of being addressed and corrected through the pursuit of a more spiritual existence.

That is what I was going to say. Welcome to the human race, I think that most everyone alcoholic or not procrastinates at one point or another like I am doing right now ;)
http://gamerfathergeek.com/wp-conten...nate-today.jpg

That could be several things, really. Somewhat of a vague question.

Like Fini said, could be procrastination. Could be "wisdom" if you are pausing and considering, and then choosing not to react to something. Could be that you are analytical... preferring to think a lot.

Depends on the context of what you're referring to, I think.

Hi.

A lot more can be added like fear which includes anxiety, procrastination, financial and other insecurities. And the list goes on and on.

These characteristics were eased by our escape mechanism, alcohol, which we became addicted to.

In AA using the steps we condition ourselves to handling these situations in a healthy manner without drinking.

It’s interesting that they have worked for about 75 years for millions who practiced them.

BE WELL

Some think that these characteristics are capable of being addressed and corrected through the pursuit of a more spiritual existence.

__________________
freshstart,

a lot of people not only think that these characteristics can be addressed and corrected through the pursuit of a more spiritual existence (i'd not term it that, but something like "a more spiritual way of life/spiritual 'practice' ") but experience it as being so.

and that is regardless of whether they're alcoholic or not, addicts or not, anything or not.

a lot of people simply experience that incorporating spiritual practices and 'principles' into their lives removes or eases traits that bring them and others misery.
to put it generally.

experience is the key word here. Those who have no such experience can only speculate about it. Those who do have the experience can only talk about it using words that are hopelessly inadequate to convey such an experience from one person to another.

experience differs from ideology the same way a map differs from the terrain.