Sunday, July 6, 2014
One Dave At A Time: Misconceptions of the only Disease That Tells One...
One Dave At A Time: Misconceptions of the only Disease That Tells One...: I've been reading a lot of comments and a lot of opinion pieces about Rob Ford and the disease of addiction. As a recovered alcoholic/a...
Misconceptions of the only Disease That Tells One You Don't Have It
I've been reading a lot of comments and a lot of opinion pieces about Rob Ford and the disease of addiction. As a recovered alcoholic/addict I can truly say that it is a disease (or if you don't like that word use the word "illness" as Alcoholic's co-founder Bill Wilson did). The OMA and many other medical authorities consider it a disease as well.
Alcohol and/or drug addiction is a two-fold disease. It's a disease of mind and the body. For brevity sake I'll just talk about alcoholism (however, drug addiction is the same). When I was an active alcoholic as soon as I took that first drink something occurred in my body and I couldn't stop drinking until I either ran out (and couldn't find any more), passed out, etc. Those in Alcoholics Anonymous refer to this as an allergy. Besides the physical aspect when I was an active alcoholic I was obsessed over drinking. I could never get enough. I'd order a beer in a bar and as soon as I took my first sip I'd begin to worry about getting my second one. I was addicted to more. When I first started drinking it helped me relax, feel part of, be sociable, let my guard down, allowed me to escape pain, anger, etc. When the drink started turning against me (it started interfering in my every day life) I couldn't remember with sufficient force the consequences of a week or even a day before - all my mind remembered was that when I felt a certain way alcohol took the feeling away.
Having said that let me make it clear having this disease does NOT take away the responsibility for the actions one took while drinking/drugging. Once you realize you have the disease it's your responsibility to get help to treat this disease. A person who has diabetes has a responsibility to keep track of what they eat, use insulin, whatever is required. An alcoholic has the responsibility to treat his/her disease. In my experience the best way to do this is to attend regular meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and to work a 12 Step Program. Part of that 12 Step program is the step of making amends (Step Nine). I am responsible for all the damage I did while in the throes of my addiction. I make amends for that damage, to the best of my ability, as part of the treatment of my disease. Making amends not only show that one has taken responsibility for one's actions it also shows that one is serious about staying sober. Alcoholics Anonymous members call this, "going to any lengths" to stay sober.
Rob Ford went to a treatment facility. Despite what some people think going to treatment does not cure this disease. This disease cannot be cured but it can be put into remission. Recovery is like building a house and treatment is laying the foundation for that house. It's up to the individual to take what he/she learned at the treatment facility and apply it to real life. Time will only tell if Ford can build his house.
Dave the Dude
Alcohol and/or drug addiction is a two-fold disease. It's a disease of mind and the body. For brevity sake I'll just talk about alcoholism (however, drug addiction is the same). When I was an active alcoholic as soon as I took that first drink something occurred in my body and I couldn't stop drinking until I either ran out (and couldn't find any more), passed out, etc. Those in Alcoholics Anonymous refer to this as an allergy. Besides the physical aspect when I was an active alcoholic I was obsessed over drinking. I could never get enough. I'd order a beer in a bar and as soon as I took my first sip I'd begin to worry about getting my second one. I was addicted to more. When I first started drinking it helped me relax, feel part of, be sociable, let my guard down, allowed me to escape pain, anger, etc. When the drink started turning against me (it started interfering in my every day life) I couldn't remember with sufficient force the consequences of a week or even a day before - all my mind remembered was that when I felt a certain way alcohol took the feeling away.
Having said that let me make it clear having this disease does NOT take away the responsibility for the actions one took while drinking/drugging. Once you realize you have the disease it's your responsibility to get help to treat this disease. A person who has diabetes has a responsibility to keep track of what they eat, use insulin, whatever is required. An alcoholic has the responsibility to treat his/her disease. In my experience the best way to do this is to attend regular meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and to work a 12 Step Program. Part of that 12 Step program is the step of making amends (Step Nine). I am responsible for all the damage I did while in the throes of my addiction. I make amends for that damage, to the best of my ability, as part of the treatment of my disease. Making amends not only show that one has taken responsibility for one's actions it also shows that one is serious about staying sober. Alcoholics Anonymous members call this, "going to any lengths" to stay sober.
Rob Ford went to a treatment facility. Despite what some people think going to treatment does not cure this disease. This disease cannot be cured but it can be put into remission. Recovery is like building a house and treatment is laying the foundation for that house. It's up to the individual to take what he/she learned at the treatment facility and apply it to real life. Time will only tell if Ford can build his house.
Dave the Dude
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