Comments on: Can Alcoholics Recover and Drink in Moderation?

By: Therapist Fort Lee

Therapist Fort Lee — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:36:57 +0000

I have an uncle who is an alcoholic. But, whenever he goes to the doctor and the doctor threatens to put my uncle on insulin, he doesn’t touch alcohol until he’s in the clear again. So, does that make him an alcoholic or not? His behavior would certainly indicate that he is while he is drinking. But, is the fact that he has such control over drinking indicative that he is not an alcoholic?

By: isabella mori

isabella mori — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:58:40 +0000

there are many studies (and observations) that show that people can “mature out” of both alcohol and drug use.

when you read the AA literature, it is pretty clear that AA was originally intended for hardcore users who had tried everything else.

and many of these “everything else” approaches work for people.

it really shouldn’t come as a surprise that the experience of alcohol abuse is very different for different people. after all, everything else is different - we don’t have the same marriages, the same work experience, the same taste for licorice or bowling - why should we all be the same with relation to alcohol use and abuse? and since we’re all at least a bit different, we all need different treatment. AA works for some, therapy works for others, willpower seems to do the trick for others yet. let a thousand treatments bloom!

By: Therapist Federal Way

Therapist Federal Way — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:26:56 +0000

While these statistics may not fit the norm, I don’t think we can totally throw them out, either. It may be that the study found a different way of looking at alcoholism and is perfectly valid and reliable. I think one point to consider is that 12 step programs do not work for everyone. I agree with the author when he says that we need to look for alternative treatments.

By: Therapist Fairfield

Therapist Fairfield — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:55:31 +0000

I would really like to know where the study got these statistics. They certainly fly in the face of every other study ever done. Alcoholism as being regressive? That’s a hard pill to swallow, so to speak. I don’t think that one study that could very well be flawed can cause us to throw out everything every other study has told us.

By: Therapist Elm Grove

Therapist Elm Grove — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:54:11 +0000

This is a very interesting blog. I’ve never heard of an alcoholic who suddenly recovered with no explanation. Very interesting. It certainly gives me something to think about for awhile.