2006-07-09 13:45:18 · 7 answers · asked by cigarnation 3 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
This is a many layered question.
I don't thing much of AA; they offer a spiritual solution to a physical problem. Most of the people who walk through their doors are NOT physically addicted to alcohol, but have strong compulsions to drink and most likely experienced some problem that forced them into the program. Once in the program they are convinced that they must be alcoholics.
AA defines alcoholics as people who are in the program of AA, or those who are still drinking. I define an alcoholic as someone who is physically addicted to alcohol, who experiences tolerance and withdrawal symptoms such as DTs.
The craving that an alcoholic has for a drink can be as strong as a man dying of thirst has for water. Can he use willpower to not take the drink? Perhaps, but he's just as likely to do anything in his power to get that drink.
Each time an alcoholic has gone through withdrawal, the next time he or she goes through it, the chances of seizures and even death, rises.
People can and do quit drinking on their own every day. A study at Harvard Medical stated that 80% do so without treatment.
Personally, I found AA a deterrent to staying sober. I knew I had a problem, so I went. There I was taught that it is impossible for someone to quit without the program, that I had a disease, and that I was powerless. All great excuses. Since I could not embrace the religious nature of the program, I believed that I was doomed to be an alcoholic until I died.
Once I took responsibility for my actions and turned my back on AA, I was able stay sober; it will be 5 years in 25 days. Without AA.
2006-07-09 18:59:39 · answer #1 · answered by raysny 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have only met one true alcoholic in my 59 years. I used to think my father was one. He would drink till he found comfort from the world that troubled him. My Mother drove him to drink and in my latter years I understood the difference between the drunk and the Alcoholic. Most of the people who admit to the problem are the ones in AA are not Alcoholics. They have a more severe problem of coping with life and social acceptance. The Fact that they participate in the AA forum is a way of gaining Social acceptance. They are not Alcoholics. Alcoholism is a decease that has to be witnessed in order to be able to separate the decease from the tormented mind. A Alcoholic is a very sad state of human degeneration. The only cure is total abstinence and no amount of meetings will make a difference. Counseling is not a cure for the true alcoholic. Will Power is a factor in helping the Drunk. Will power CAN NOT help the Alcoholic, the disease is that power that kills the mind and removes all voluntary functions of the nervous system. It is worse than a snake bite from the King Cobra.
2006-07-11 07:46:07 · answer #2 · answered by einstein 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems to me that is two questions. AA is probably the most effective treatment for people addicted to alcohol and want to quit. regarding the second q. most or all people are somewhat addicted to something. Some things have a physical effect on the system that strongly contributes to an addiction. The harmful effects of these substances like alcohol,drugs,smoking contribute to the difficulty to stop. a strong desire to stop is very important to the success of giving up these habits. group support can be very helpful in offering support in the efforts to quit.
2006-07-09 13:58:48 · answer #3 · answered by dennisheikka 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The solution is not willpower. It is our own self will that got us to AA. The 2nd step is came to be believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Willpower does not work. Letting God do for me what I couldn't do for myself does. And, alcoholism, (as well as drug addiction) is a proven disease, has nothing to do with willpower. "Normal" people can have a drink or two, alcoholics can't, "one's too many, a thousand never enough". AA certainly DOES work, if you work the program. One Day At A Time.
2006-07-09 13:50:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Addiction is a real disease. AA helps people every day get that monkey off their back.
2006-07-09 13:50:12 · answer #5 · answered by vadragonslayer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No will power. I've seen many of hardcore drunks just give up the bottle because they dont want to drink for whatever reason. If you put your mind to it you can do or stop anything you want.
2006-07-09 13:49:05 · answer #6 · answered by whitetrashwithmoney 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
alcoholism is a DISEASE. its just like ocd, u cant control whether or not u drink it, however u can try really hard to stop.
2006-07-09 13:49:37 · answer #7 · answered by rjekqlw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋