Science of Addiction and the Disease Model - Al-Anon Family Group

Bradly · Newbie

Science of Addiction and the Disease Model

hawaiilover · Senior Member

Brady, I read a couple of articles on this website. Quite interesting findings here. It contradicts, to some degree, the notion that alcoholism is a disease. I know the AMA says it is a disease. However, this reading gives a new insight to addiction. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the reading.

Hawaii

Bradly · Newbie

I thought it made the case for the disease model (from the article):

"Addiction is not fundamentally a moral failing it's not a disease of weak-willed losers. When you look at the biology, the only model of addiction that makes sense is a disease-based model, and the only attitude towards addicts that makes sense is one of compassion."

-- Edited by Bradly on Sunday 26th of June 2011 09:53:17 AM

kitty · ~*Service Worker*~

Wow! I began reading this article last night and it makes a lot of sense. For me growing up ACoA and ADHD (turns out adhd is a "reaction" and "coping mechanism" developed by the child in an extremely stressful environment. I can really understand how my perception of feeling good when I am not eating (starving) and in ketosis has been so encouraged by the way the stress makes tighter connections in our patterns combined with the codie - martyr trip of overcoming the most basic need- in a very sick, tragic way- at least I can know now why it feels good. My mom starved and was bulimic as I was growing up as long as I can remember. I have been at a stand-still with myself and daily food issues, this weirdly has helped me a lot! Thank you so much for posting it. I too think the article makes a case for our disease very clearly. It certainly is not thriving, homeostatic health! I will be referring back to this link for a long time.

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.