Is there a Cure for Alcoholism ?
There are those who believe (the alcoholics anonymous crowd mainly) that there is no cure for alcoholism – that if you’re an alcoholic or an addict, then no matter what treatment you go through, you’ll still be an alcoholic or an addict for the rest of your life.
This is not a position which holds much hope for anyone considering treatment or a rehab. The idea that you will always be liable to relapse and descend into alcoholism or addiction again could easily dissuade many people from bothering to make changes at all.
Wouldn’t it be more useful to encourage people and remind them that lasting change is possible. If you can heal the underlying causes of the addiction, then a former alcoholic no longer has such a tendency. Of course they would be prudent to be very respectful and observant of their relationship to alcohol. But people in recovery should not live their lives as a ‘dry-drunk’, believing that they are just one drink away from their previous excesses.
Can a former alcoholic ever drink sensibly again? Some can and some cannot. Abstinence is an option for some, and the only option advocated by AA, but that does not mean it is the only option which works. The cognitive therapy approach advocates self-understanding, but leaves the choice of whether to drink again to the individual.
There is only a cure for alcoholism if the problems that are causing it in the first place are dealt with.
i have recently been attending AA meetings and at 24 am completely unconvinced that i can live my life by a blue book and am starting to think i should speak to my GP rather than AA members as i used the alcohol to beat the paranoia of drug abuse. i just cannot see myself sharing my problems with a group of people i do not know or trust opposed to a doctor who may also try and spout the same AA program. I really am at my wits end with this and have issues with the AA PROGRAM or propaganda as the only cure for my struggles which i have been told i am powerless over and will eventually result in death well if my head wasnt battered before it certainly is now after being sat in those rooms. i just hope there is an answer out there as AA does not seem to be it. thank you for your comments left on this page and the different perspective
Hi there.
I have been reading any info I can find about our condition.
I have tried stopping numerous times, then with inner confidence, felt assured that “this time it will be different” and try to be a ‘normal’ drinker.
This has failed miserably, and ultimately ended with a suicide attempt.
Spent a few days in a psychiatric hospital, then got out, again, thinking that I have other issues that led me to drink and could handle responsible drinking. Over the subsequent 2 weeks, I drank again, and had a few 2 day binges..this led to severe bad thoughts, and was ready to take an overdose again.
That next day, I realised that I couldn’t be a responsible drinker, at least for now, and the only way that my emplyer would allow me to work, have a hope of getting my girl back, and ultimately being happy, was to do something about it.
I have been waiting for months for NHS referrals and couldn’t risk waiting any longer so took the plunge and called AA. Found out there was a meeting near where I live and went.
Have been going for 4 weeks now.
I don’t want a drink.
I think that life should be ok without drink, as I’ve partied for years and don’t wish to be in that scene anymore.
From previous attempts at quitting, I have learned that I can enjoy many things without drink, such as fantastic holidays (which, in my twenties, were always drink-fueled, even in islamic countries that I visited).
Two things worry me:
I was brought up in religious schools, but left religion behind when I was young.
I don’t particularly believe in a higher being of any kind.
AA is all about spirituality, but I do not believe in, or understand this, so I’m at a loss.
Yes, I’m sober….it’s only been 30 days, but I am ok with not drinking.
I don’t need a drink, but still feel rather miserable. It’s like a loss inside.
I am bored and boring.
Went to see my father in january, who is a heavy, daily drinker. At the time, I was moderating well…he has always seen me as the alcy…but this time I had the maximum of two beers with him… he later commented to my sister that I was changed, and he didn’t really like my character as much….
….seems my dad preferred me as a drunk, as I always made jokes and was fun.
I feel I’ve lost this part of my character now, but cannot drink in moderation to get it back, as I no longer become fun when I drink.
Exercise is a great healer, although, one doctor told me that it’s replacing one addiction with another…. as I am now addicted to the gym, and am goin 6 times a week, also twice a week in a martial arts class.
The AA way seems a bit bleak, and in the meetings I go to, there are a lot of people who seem miserable. However, on the same token, I am utterly overwhelmed by some people, who, once upon a time where hopeless, are now amazing individuals, fulfilling life.
I want an easy fix, a magic wand….don’t want to sign my life away to AA (of which, I’m only about 50 percent in agreement), but there are no alternatives….do this or risk dying…
Seems that I’ll just have to live with being miserable for the time being.
Tim
Hi Tim,
I was really moved by your comments that you left concerning alcohol addiction in 2009. As it is now 2011 I was wondering how you are now and as I am currently an alcoholic I found your post so much more helpful than AA and other therapists. Just wondered if you were still contactable for advice should I need some?
Paul
I also read and did he ever contact you? I go through much of the same.
I have felt the same way as Tim several times. Sober now for over a year, I was just goofing off and found this website. I don’t go to AA meetings anymore, I went a few times in a few different places. One thing I will tell you about AA, each meeting place is different. I have been to AA meetings where the perosn leading the meeting seemed to just want to be in control… Raise your hand to speak etc etc. A desparate alcoholic then, I did not have the time or patients to follow the rules of a control freak. I did find a few other places that I really enjoyed going to AA meetings and would probably still go just for the comradary, but I travel for months at a time so I just let it go altogether. I still have a craving now and then but nothing like before. When I get that craving I try to think of how sick I felt when I was drinking and to try and remember that same old “I can have one and quit” thought process that brought me right back to drinking again. As for a higher power, I honestly believe that a higher power has taken that problem from me. I don’t own the problem anymore. I don’t worry if I will slip and drink because its not up to me, I gave that problem to God. It’s not mine to handle anymore. The stress has left now, I don’t worry about when or if I will fail and go back to drinking. I fully realize that I could start again and be a miserable feeling person again but its not up to me, it’s not my problem to manage. I couldn’t and can’t manage it, nor do I ever want to. It’s his now. Life has been great the last year, I feel like I will live a while longer. I used to feel like I would die early or even soon. I don’t worry about that anymore either. I am happy. I wish you all the best and will pray you find help and comfort. I could ramble on but I will end with this. I was EXACTLY like Tim and quit several times for weeks or days at a time.
I applaude you all for your bravery and inner strength.
I think it is so much harder to give up then give in…..
I too have found it a failed state of being, and loved blaming everything else for my inability to “drink like everyone else”
I’m still yet to take the plunge, but moderate as best I can.
Chins up and God Bless (even though I’m not religious)
This site has given me hope to understand and not deny and bend to the will of others.
please do not contact me.my husband an i both drink. he had a stroke in 2003,april.now it is july ,2010.i don’t smoke.
anymore, and really don’t care if there is any booze or not.the problem is, my husband tries to intimidate me if his sports don’t turn out the way he likes. i do not believe in hitting ANYONE but i will not hesitate to defend myself. there is no booze here now, and i am very okay with that. he keeps try make me angry , but it won’t work. when this man is sober , he can be the best . i know i am not perfect . my husband is not either . is there any love left ? no . but i would not condemn this man to hell. we ‘ ve both been there. take a lesson from this. love whomever you want, but do not let it kill you or anyone else! i just keep my mouth shut. you don’t have to.
Hi there,
It is a complex situation. I too have been struggling with AA. Haven’t had a drink for almost 5 months now. My life is boring and dull! or does it just seem that way…my mind chatters and I think about drinking still. But is this just normal after having been drinking for so long???
My thoughts on AA are mixed. I am struggling with the spiritual concept but not altogether against it. I want to believe in a higher power but because it is not tangible for me I find it hard. Also the thought that I can ‘never’ be cured scares the heck out of me and I wonder about attending AA meetings for the rest of my life also. I have met some lovely people in the rooms and not so lovely people in the rooms. Infact not any different from outside the rooms!
Some appear to be completely insane! and this scares me too. The influence of crazy people could be not be so good perhaps. But then maybe I am just one of them too and don’t realise it! Oh it is all very confusing. I do know one thing I feel a whole lot better not drinking and kind of like the idea of facing life on life terms…but can it be done any other way and are there any stats on this. That’s what I want to know.
Lesley
Hi,
I 25 and drink heavily almost every day. Today I didn’t drink and I feel terrible. It’s going to be my forth time that I try quitting. Hope this site will help me for good.
I have tried to quit drinking numerous times…everytime I have said oh just one and it was ok the first few times but then i go out and black out…dont know how i got home or what i did with the rest of my night…this is a really scary place to be. I have an alcoholic parent where apparently i have learned how to be an alcoholic from…so it is time i put me first i need to take better care of myself…how many times am i gonna fail at this? i am an alcoholic who has to stay sober no more drinks ever! ive gotta do it for me and my daughter this cycle needs to stop with me