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I have worked as a clinical counselor in the addiction field for over 15 years and have seen the tremendous strength and determination many alcoholics or addicts have used to follow their own path to "addiction recovery" despite surmounting obstacles.
I often hear that in order for someone with alcohol or drug addiction to recover they must admit they have a disease, are powerless and will have to forever fight against the "disease of alcohol or drug addiction".
If they do not subscribe to this thinking, if the alcohol or drug user does not want to be labeled with a disease, or if they think that they are stronger than their addiction, they are ridiculed and labeled as resistant or "in denial" and told they may never recover.
Many of the people I have encountered who struggled with alcoholism or drugs have not needed years of expensive therapy or endless AA or NA meetings to rid their life of alcohol or drugs. They simply chose to quit drinking or using drugs on their own.
It does a disservice to lump everyone in one category. To say that everyone who over drinks may be an alcoholic and has a disease is like saying that everyone who gets a headache may have brain cancer. It's just not true.
Everyone struggles in life at times and may use poor judgment or coping (i.e. drinking or drugging) but this does not mean they are forever doomed to a disease of addiction. Re-evaluating their life and increasing their coping techniques can simply be the answer.
The majority of those who drink or use drugs have recovered on their own. It is estimated that around 61% of the population drinks in some form. Of this population of drinkers it is estimated that anywhere from 5%-8% abuse alcohol or over drink in some way. Of those who abuse alcohol about 2%-3% are estimated to meet the true definition of alcohol addiction (roughly about 8-10 million people out of a population of over 305 million). |
What this points to is that most who drink, do not become an alcoholic. But better yet, it shows that most people who may drink (or over drink) can recover on their own - they move on and grow.
Some would argue that those who were able to stop using alcohol or drugs on their own are not the true "addicts" of life. That true "addicts" would need meetings, therapy and endless reminders about the cunning disease of addiction. That these people who consider themselves cured and no longer attend meetings or group therapy are just around the corner from a relapse and are in denial about the truth of addiction. I disagree. Just because some people can quit drinking and drugging and others can't does not indicate that those who can't must have a disease. Just because one is still struggling with alcohol or drug use does not mean that the same ability to stop is not present for them as it was for those that have already quit.
To present to those who seek drug help or alcohol help that there is only one way to recover (i.e. to believe that in order to recover you must accept you have a disease) I believe, is to discourage many from seeking the help they need. People are smarter than that and realize that they are more capable and competent than simply being at the mercy at some imaginary disease.
The "Forgotten Five Steps" addiction workbook has been compiled from the successes of those who refused to give up on their desire to live an alcohol or drug free life, refused to be labeled with a disease and have indeed obtained the dream of living addiction free ....
Success in recovery is extremely possible! The ability for the alcoholic or addict to quit drinking or using drugs is already within them and this reality should not be forgotten. Keep believing! ...Tim
Drug & Alcohol Help ~ 888-691-3919 |
I hope this site & workbook can present a more empowering view of addiction recovery. Whether you decide to get the workbook or just want to browse through the information on this site - free support is always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling: 888-691-3919 - Or you can e-mail with any recovery questions or issues. - Tim
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