Are people really powerless over alcohol?

Question

I need an intelligent truthful and honest answer...please.

I smoked cigarettes for over 30 years and quit 17 years ago. I did it "cold turkey". Is quiting alcohol so much different?

Alcoholics Anonymous members say they are powerless again and again.

I listened to my thoughts when I quit smoking. My thoughts would sometimes tell me that it is OK to light-up. I had to overide that often clever voice with one of intelligence and logic and remember the health consequences of continuing to smoke. Can this self dialoge be used with alcohol issues? I view addiction as a behaviour that can be changed. What's up here?

Answer 1

Its called free will. You can choose to drink or you can choose not to drink. You control what your body does and not that liquid in a bottle. If you really don't want to drink anymore, then stop. Don't listen to the naysayers who say you are weak and unable to control yourself. You know that is not true and you can do whatever you want if you want it bad enough.

The problem with any addiction is that you have to "want" to quit and not just "need" to quit.

Answer 2

I have seen alcohol (and drugs) completely destroy the lives of otherwise very intelligent, very strong-willed people - individuals who truly wanted to stop and tried over and over. I do believe those people are completely powerless over their addictions. I've seen many do well through therapy or 12-step programs. I've seen some who lost their lives in the fight. Alcoholism is a serious disease, and I do believe it's a disease that studies have shown has a definite hereditary component with brain chemistry issues as well.

Congratulations on stopping smoking after so many years! I know people who have stopped drinking and using drugs "cold turkey"; but for many, it's a lifelong struggle.

Answer 3

No, they are not powerless.

AA is PRIMARILY a religious organization. Quitting drinking is turned into an impossible feat, one that a person cannot accomplish without the help of God.

Alcohol is given the attributes of a human, or a demon, it becomes cunning, baffling and mysterious, your disease is said to be doing push-ups in the parking lot while you sit in meetings. Many of these sayings/thoughts started out as metaphors, but have been take literally by those who do not understand them.

Believing that you are powerless or that you have a disease removes the responsibility for ones actions. If only God can help, then a person has built-in excuses to relapse.

I believed these things for years and was unable to stay sober for more than a few months at a time. It wasn't until I took responsibility for my actions, and turned away from AA that I was able to remain stopped.

Answer 4

I had battled the bottle for many years. Started drinking and smoking at a very early age. When I became 21 it was downhill. For many years and many times I tried to kick the habit but it only became worse. I was too proud for AA. "A real man doesn't need help". I had an accident because of it, my truck was totalled. Luckily no one was hurt. Then I realized it was an addiction not a habit. I had to admitt to myself that I was an alcoholic.

To make a long story short, I nearly lost my children, my wife, my job, everything! One night I prayed for help. Shortly after that I had a motorcycle accident, I was sober. SUV ran a stop sign sent me flying I nearly lost my life. As I'm writting this I'm sitting on my hospital bed, after my 6th surgery to try and save my leg and three months later, I can say that I have successfully quit drinking and smoking because I have now realized how precious life is, just watching my wife sleep right by my side is a gift. She has shown me what true love is.

I had quit smoking many times. I nearly lost my life before I quit drinking. I can tell you that occupational stress plays a huge role, I did not "inherit" drinking. It started socially. I see spring-breakers and I feel bad for them.

Answer 5

It is a behavior that can be changed, once the alcohol or drug is out of your system. The powerlessness comes when you pick up that first one. Once you put even the smallest amount in your system, your body (and mind) begin that cycle of cravings.Then the desire to use more and more comes back. That is the powerless part of it.

Answer 6

The differance with alcoholics is that SOME of them may have a legitimate chemical imbalance that makes them more prone to alcoholism. Scientific studies have shown that children born to alcholics have different brain chemistry and are more likely to become alcoholics themselfs.

Most addiction is a behavior that can be changed - however there are some legitimate biological issues involved with alcoholism.

Answer 7

I think it can be changed also if the person wants to stop then they just stop. I don't believe that alcoholism is a disease or drug abuse is either. I think it's a way out for some people. A great escape, But no it's not a Disease I think.

Answer 8

People are only powerless if they allow themselves to be powerless. I think more times it is a copout and the use it as an excuse to keep on drinking excessively. Changing behavior is doing exactly what you described and anyone can do it if they want to!!!

Answer 9

The problem with addiction is its sheer will.

Physical addiction is evident with many substances, but psychological addiction can occur when behaviors link substances with enjoyable events. That makes it even more dangerous.

Addiction is a spectrum of consequences and causes for many people.

Answer 10

People who use substances to cover up reality. they don't know how to deal with problems so they decide to not be sober so they don't think about them. a person can overcome it but it is difficult if they really don't want to quit. it takes a lot of will power. and that is the honest truth.