Comments on: Welcome to “A Different Side of Treatment”

By: amyhop

amyhop — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:55:31 +0000

Each person suffering from this type of addiction has to work hard to discover what motivates him and her, and it is only with this type of soul searching that I feel a real life change can be made. For some it will be a health scare, for others it will be the fear of losing their families. But for anyone to be a successful recovering addict, they must have the support of a good family system.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:09:46 +0000

My uncle had a severe drinking problem until one day he got very ill, had to be rushed to the ER, and the doctor there told him that his liver was so bad that one more drink would literally take his life. Not a drop has passed his lips since that day almost 10 years ago. He certainly found his motivation!

By: matthew

matthew — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:15:24 +0000

I do believe that alcoholism is a disease. But, I don’t think it’s a disease for the addict. I think it’s a disease for those around the person, excluding the enablers. For those who try to help in positive, constructive ways, alcoholism is just as much a disease as Angie states cancer is. Those involved can change the way they think about the alcoholic, but they can’t change the alcoholic himself.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:13:01 +0000

Glad to hear that you are involved in research. I think that those who practice therapy should also remain as involved as research as they were in their college years, if not more so. If we don’t involve ourselves in research, we can only learn from others. Learning from the works of our own hands is indeed a powerful thing.

By: Angie

Angie — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:11:10 +0000

I think it’s interesting that the authors view using a term such as “disease” to define alcoholism does more harm than good. When I think about it, though, it does make sense. People must choose to “get over” their addictions. Even though this is difficult, it is possible. On the other hand, someone w/ a disease such as cancer does not have the option to choose to change his or situation. He or she can’t make cancer stop. Cancer victims do have power in that they can decide how to view their situation. But, they do not have the power to make cancer go away as an addict can choose to stop drinking, smoking, etc.

By: richelle

richelle — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:08:28 +0000

I think it’s very interesting that so many people get better that we never hear about. Those who have gone through 12 step programs tend to be pretty vocal about it, in my experience. I work w/ children rather than adults, so I guess my view isn’t necessarily a full one. But, it is a thought I hadn’t had before. Maybe those who go through AA successfully get so much attention b/c the vocal types respond well to that type of intervention program. Thanks for helping me look at this issue in another way.