The purpose for this article is to answer some questions like "How do I know if I am alcoholic, drug addict or not ?" or "What is the difference between an alcoholic and someone who just drinks too much?" Or a drug addict and someone who just gets high once and a while. These are legitimate questions and important ones to someone struggling with alcohol or drugs or knows of someone showing signs of heavy drinking. Most of us have probably heard or read some things over the years and many of us have formed beliefs and perceptions on what we believe about alcoholics and drug addicts. The following information is based on professional studies,information from the book Alcoholics Anonymous and personal experiences over many years.
First things first. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drugs then we need to understand that this is not caused externally. In other words alcoholism and drug addiction is not caused from drinking or using drugs. Sounds strange,huh ?Drinking or drug use is part of the symptoms,but not the cause. Addiction/Alcoholism is not caused by our environment or childhood trauma or any other outside event. Alcoholism and drug addiction are caused the same way cancer or diabetes are caused. It is an illness. Many external forces or issues can intensify drinking and using or compound the problem, but are not the cause
There are several types of drinkers/users. There are people that can moderately drink or occasionally use some drugs without ever "going off the deep end" so to speak. These folks can take it or leave it. Its just not a big deal. They do not have symptoms of addiction with alcohol or drugs. There are some people that react differently toward one or the other, but not both. These we will need to look at either drugs or alcohol separately Most moderate drinkers or social drinkers are either social drug users or only drinkers. Sometimes someone can be highly allergic to one and not the other though. Some times people start off moderate and then progress to heavy or out of control proportions,but most are either allergic or not from the beginning.
Another type is the heavy drinker or hard drug user that shows many signs of alcoholism/addiction. This person may be a binge drinker or they may be full fledged blackout-passing out or last one still drinking kinda person. They may be highly affected by the substance and even show extreme signs of losing control of their lives or maybe you just never see them without a drink or "something" in their hand. Physically they may be every bit as bad as the alcoholic/addict, but there is one difference. They can stop or stay stopped if they have to because of a severe consequence or reason. Even if they need detox they can stay stopped on their own power.
The type that has the illness of addiction/alcoholism is the most misunderstood type of all. Extreme denial and delusion plague this guy/girl. Always minimizing or blaming someone else for all their problems.Sometimes quitting many times with firm resolutions, going to treatment facilities,jails, losing families,jobs, houses, you name it,but cant quite seem to get a grip on things. Eventually they are just as baffled as everyone else. These folks are heart breaking. Many people just give up on them , some usually family members keep hoping but have trouble believing they will ever change. The bad news is this will never just go away on its own regardless of how many external changes they make. They could move to a deserted island and still have this illness just like a diabetic would still be a diabetic The good news is that many have been hopelessly defeated by this illness and lead perfectly normal lives today(whatever normal means). Not all wind up this bad, but many do. Discovering what the real problem is is key to finding the solution.
Alcoholism/addiction is a physical,mental and spiritual illness. Once the problem is addressed then the solution can be embraced and be effective. Otherwise these people are tragic and usually fatal. (please read article entitled "To understand the solution I must understand the problem.")
This is just a small overview of alcoholism/addiction. A basic introduction.
These people actually have a physical allergy to alcohol and/or drugs. Instead of itching or sneezing this allergy manifests by the body craving more of the substance.They cannot control how much they drink/use once they start. Just like an allergy to any substance it cannot be controlled with the mind. I have hay-fever in the spring. I cannot keep myself from sneezing just by making up my mind to do so. They can never safely drink or use without experiencing this phenomenon. Even if they demonstrate for other's satisfaction that they can just drink one or two, the craving still exists. After this painful "people-pleasing" act when no one is around they probably make up for lost time by guzzling some down. Abstinence is the only way keep from experiencing this allergic reaction.
Then comes the hard part. The mental obsession. This is explained much more in detail in the article "To understand the solution I must understand the problem." Basically due to a unique mental illness associated with addiction/alcoholism it is virtually impossible to keep from drinking/using when this obsession strikes. There is no sound reasoning regarding the substance. Sometimes it can be thought through,but not always. Baffling ! There is a certain restlessness and discomfort that immediately goes away with a couple drinks or chemicals depending on the vice. This is called "unmanageable". It is this unmanageability, if not treated by a complete psychic change, that keeps people continuing to go back to their vice and not getting completely recovered and developing a whole new way of life.
The solution cannot be explained in a few paragraphs,but is basically developing a spiritual way of life that includes continued self examination and being helpful and thoughtful of others. Spiritual life does not mean religious. It can include religion (of any kind) or just a basic personal disciplined life that involves some quiet reflection,dependence on a Power higher than self and thoughtfulness of others. The opposite of selfishness. The spiritual life is completely a personal matter.Most people find a spiritual life including a "personal"relationship with God (as they believe in God) to be the most gratifying way to live.Honesty is a must. Anyone can do this. Most successfully recovered addicts and alcoholics have to be completely transformed and develop a whole new way of life. As alcoholism and addiction are progressive whether using/drinking or not, so must this recovery process be. A lifetime of growth and spiritual discipline involving helping others will produce continued sobriety proportionate to the new growth. In other words you get out of it what you put into it. Many have found freedom and happiness. So can you.
