The relapse rates for people with addictions, over-eaters, heart disease, etc. are about the same. These lifestyle changes that people are forced into take time, and mistakes are bound to happen.

These addictions, compulsions, habits, whatever you want to call it, usually need to be permanent lifestyle changes. However, there are those who 'learn' (:c029: ) positive coping skills and are able to lead balanced lives. The over-eater who learns and implements a balanced diet might introduce one 'indulgence' a week (eat w/e they want w/respect to portion control) and probably won't fall back into over-eating.

This is not the same as moderated drinking or drugging. For most of us at SR, the severity of our problems mean any trigger is potentially disastrous. But there are those unsung people out there that can learn positive coping skills, and drink or drug in moderation. We don't hear about them because they've no need to find support for their positive changes.

:haha:

Afraid2Succeed, drinkers that can use positive coping skills to drink in moderation and lead balanced lives are called Alcohol Abusers. People who are medically addicted are called ALCOHOLICS and can never drink in any way. There is no gray area here. Most americans have abused alcohol at some point in their lives but never become chemically dependent on alcohol. Big difference.

"Many terms are applied to a drinker's relationship with alcohol. Use, misuse, heavy use, abuse, addiction, and dependence are all common labels used to describe drinking habits, but the actual meaning of these words can vary greatly depending upon the context in which they are used. Even within the medical field, the definition can vary between areas of specialization. The introduction of politics and religion further muddles the issue." -wikipedia

Wikipedia is not a resource that has a basis in science or fact. Read this:

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm

"What is the difference between alcoholism and alcohol abuse?

Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a diagnosable disease characterized by several factors including a strong craving for alcohol, continued use despite harm or personal injury, the inability to limit drinking, physical illness when drinking stops, and the need to increase the amount drunk in order to feel the effects (4).

Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships or ability to work. Certain manifestations of alcohol abuse include failure to fulfill responsibilities at work, school or home; drinking in dangerous situations such as while driving; legal problems associated with alcohol use and continued drinking despite problems that are caused or worsened by drinking. Alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol dependence (4)."

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), published by the American Psychiatric Association, Washington D.C., 1994.

More accurate than Wikipedia.....

the DSMIV is the 4th iteration of mental disorders. did you know the DSM once said that homosexuality was a disorder? Did you know the APA calls PTSD a disorder when research proves it's a syndrome? Did you know millions of Americans have ADD but in previous DSM's ADD did not exist?

Tell me how accurate your 'source' is. What I said was there is no consensus on the semantics of alcoholism.

I think what she meant was that scientists are starting to believe that addiction is something one is born with. Two siblings could have had the same environment growing up, but one will end up an addict, and the other not. Why? The same with diabetes. Addiction is a disease, like diabetes; you can't cure it, but you can manage it by abstinence.

Second request: You will focus on _your_ experience with _your_ recovery. Unless you are a licensed health care profssional, your opinions on other matters do not belong in this forum.

Pjreid? I apologize for the disrespectful individuals who keep hijacking this thread. I hope that a couple days in the "locked" corner will help them learn some manners.

Mike