Almost everyone has heard that alcoholism and denial are related. And probably everyone has heard the old “Have you stopped beating your wife” trick question. Answering either yes or no damns the respondent. Similarly, the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12-step program also supports a “heads I win, tails you lose” trick question. Question: “Are you alcoholic?” …
AA is religious. Court cases repeatedly find that Alcoholics Anonymous is religious in nature. As a result, no agent of government may legally require anyone to attend AA. I. AA is Religious AA is Based on Religion Founders of AA were members of a Protestant Christian movement, the Oxford Group. Its members “practiced absolute surrender, …
Anyone can be alcoholic. It’s not just the skid row wino. There are many very famous alcoholics. This list isn’t limited to famous alcoholics. It also includes the infamous, rich, powerful, and influential. (By the way, be sure to visit Alcoholic Athletes and also Famous People Arrested for Drunk Driving.) It’s important to recognize the …
Spiritual help for alcoholism is widely used. It’s central to Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s also often used in other approaches to healing. Overview I. Spiritual vs. Religious II. Effectiveness III. Resources Alcohol has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. It plays a major part …
LifeRing for alcoholism believes in you. It believes that people DO have the power to overcome alcoholism. The program is free and also helpful for drug addiction. LifeRing believes that every alcoholic has the power to achieve lasting sobriety. It’s hard. There are often setbacks. But in every alcoholic there exists the desire to find …
For well over half a century we have poured billions of dollars into a failed attempt at understanding alcoholism. What’s its nature, causes, and possible cure? Each promised breakthrough to understanding alcoholism has failed miserably. Overview I. Problem of Confusion II. Reason for Confusion III. Evidence IV. Alternatives V. …
Alcoholics drink moderately? Is that ever possible? Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) has an adage. It’s “once a pickle, never again a cucumber.” That expresses A.A.’s belief that an alcoholic will always be alcoholic. And that an alcoholic can never go back to drinking in moderation. Overview I. Alcoholics Drink in …
Anne M. Fletcher investigated how best to help someone who drinks too much alcohol. She did so very logically. She first found hundreds of people who had successfully dealt with their drinking problems. Then she asked each such person how others had helped them achieve their goal. For some, the goal was to reduce their …
Alcohol use disorder or AUD Is this just another name for alcoholism? For alcohol abuse? Exactly what is it? To understand alcohol use disorder, it is helpful to understand the terms that came before it. Alcohol Use Disorder: Background The major authority defining such matters is the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). …
