SponsorNet

"How many times have people said to us: 'I can take it or leave it alone. Why can't he?' 'Why don't you drink like a gentleman or quit?' 'That fellow can't handle his liquor.' 'Why don't you try beer and wine?' 'Lay off the hard stuff.' 'His will power must be weak.' 'He could stop if he wanted to.' 'She's such a sweet girl, I should think he'd quit for her sake.' 'The doctor told him that if he ever drank again it would kill him, but there he is all lit up again.'

Now these are commonplace observations on drinkers which we hear all the time. Back of them is a world of ignorance and misunderstanding. We see that these expressions refer to people whose reactions [to alcohol] are very different from ours."

Alcoholics Anonymous
There is a Solution
Page 20

I have never met an alcohlic in recovery that claimed he or she was successful at controlling their drinking like a normal drinker. The very definition of alcoholism (http://www.sponsornet.com/faq1.html) includes craving and lack of control.

Alcoholism is a disease that includes the following four symptoms:

* Craving -- A strong need, or urge, to drink.
* Loss of control -- Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
* Physical dependence -- Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking.
* Tolerance -- The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get "high."

Nonetheless, misconceptions persist to this day -- decades after formal research was initiated.

While the research for its cause and cure continues, Alcoholics Anonymous remains as the most successful and widely available recovery program for those suffering from alcoholism. It's simple, it's accessible, and it works.



Get the latest edition of:
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA Services

aa addiction alcoholism recovery sponsornet substance abuse