Yes I am serious. I think that telling people "they have a disease and there is no possible way they can recover" not does not help society as a whole. I think we can be aided greater by understanding the science and intervening before dependence takes place without instantly labeling problem drinkers as absolutely incurable alcoholics. It's more much reasonable for a person to comprehend the dangers of repeated abuse and a negative cycle if they don't believe that poor choices = a disease. Try telling anyone that they should consider toning down drinking or try telling them they have an disease that cannot be overcome, and see what has a better response!
AA has a strong belief component, I don't think you will disagree. Now what good is telling someone in the mid-ground that they have no control and will become sick / die if they drink at all, instead of learning to make better choices? Self-fulfilling prophecy if they do believe and they do drink - they will meet your expectation if they buy into the disease concept. How many "bad stories" did people in your group have when they slip up? Did hearing them re-enforce what you were told about yourself and alcohol?
I've seen one of my sisters is bad shape in HS - drinking shots before school and during the day and passing out drunk just to be happy and get by. But she's broke the cycle and got back to where she didn't go back to it and is a happy and healthy college student now who can moderately enjoy alcohol but doesn't need it to live her life.
If she was programmed to think whenever that beer would hit her lips she would lose all control and her brain/body would force her to want more and more until she passed out and awoke to find more to start it again... well, she could be dead now because of it.
AA has a strong belief component, I don't think you will disagree. Now what good is telling someone in the mid-ground that they have no control and will become sick / die if they drink at all, instead of learning to make better choices? Self-fulfilling prophecy if they do believe and they do drink - they will meet your expectation if they buy into the disease concept. How many "bad stories" did people in your group have when they slip up? Did hearing them re-enforce what you were told about yourself and alcohol?
I've seen one of my sisters is bad shape in HS - drinking shots before school and during the day and passing out drunk just to be happy and get by. But she's broke the cycle and got back to where she didn't go back to it and is a happy and healthy college student now who can moderately enjoy alcohol but doesn't need it to live her life.
If she was programmed to think whenever that beer would hit her lips she would lose all control and her brain/body would force her to want more and more until she passed out and awoke to find more to start it again... well, she could be dead now because of it.
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