The doctors theory that we have an allergy to alcohol interests us. As laymen, our opinion as to its soundness may, of course, mean little. But as exproblem drinkers, we can say that his explanation makes good sense. It explains many things for which we cannot otherwise account.

We believe, and so suggested a few years ago, that the action of alcohol on these chronic alcoholics is a manifestation of an allergy; that the phenomenon of craving is limited to this class and never occurs in the average temperate drinker.

Men and women drink essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol. The sensation is so elusive that, while they admit it is injurious, they cannot after a time differentiate the true from the false. To them, their alcoholic life seems the only normal one. They are restless, irritable and discontented, unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinksdrinks which they see others taking with impunity. After they have succumbed to the desire again, as so many do, and the phenomenon of craving develops, they pass through the well-known stages of a spree, emerging remorseful, with a firm resolution not to drink again. This is repeated over and over, and unless this person can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope of his recovery.

I do not hold with those who believe that alcoholism is entirely a problem of mental control. I have had many men who had, for example, worked a period of months on some problem or business deal which was to be settled on a certain date, favorably to them. They took a drink a day or so prior to the date, and then the phenomenon of craving at once became paramount to all other interests so that the important appointment was not met. These men were not drinking to escape; they were drinking to overcome a craving beyond their mental control.

There are many situations which arise out of the phenomenon of craving which cause men to make the supreme sacrifice rather than continue to fight.

The classification of alcoholics seems most difficult, and in much detail is outside the scope of this book. There are, of course, the psychopaths who are emotionally unstable. We are all familiar with this type. They are always going on the wagon for keeps. They are over-remorseful and make many resolutions, but never a decision.

There is the type of man who is unwilling to admit that he cannot take a drink. He plans various ways of drinking. He changes his brand or his environment. There is the type who always believes that after being entirely free from alcohol for a period of time he can take a drink without danger. There is the manic-depressive type, who is, perhaps, the least understood by his friends, and about whom a whole chapter could be written.

Then there are types entirely normal in every respect except in the effect alcohol has upon them. They are often able, intelligent, friendly people.

All these, and many others, have one symptom in common: they cannot start drinking without developing the phenomenon of craving. This phenomenon, as we have suggested, may be the manifestation of an allergy which differentiates these people, and sets them apart as a distinct entity. It has never been, by any treatment with which we are familiar, permanently eradicated. The only relief we have to suggest is entire abstinence.

dontlookback wrote:

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Thank you for your replies, leeu, your right its all about the money. Linbaba, i would agree with you , i think there is something that causes one person to crave alcohol more than the next, i too do not believe alcoholics drink excessively because its somthing they want or make a decision to do. Your theory is interesting, since my sister died from alcoholism i have been studying this condition and i offer you this theory i have come up with.

Alcoholics are known to have low sertonin levels, low sertonin levels cause depression. When a person drinks alcohol, their sertonin levels rise and they get a feel good factor, though it also causes their sertonin levels to dip lower once the alcohol wears off, this worsens their condition and makes them crave the feel good factor alcohol brings again. Also, it causes them to crave the taste of alcohol, i wondered why a simple cola or fizzy drink could not satisfy these cravings but it seems the alcohol satisfies the craving for sugar while also increases the sertonin levels though only for a short while. It seems the body has a funny way of telling us what it needs. I understand this a little as when i was pregnant i had an awful craving for coal, i had a bad craving to eat it, i heard it was a sign i was lacking in iron, and low and behold a test later confirmed i was. The body again told me what it needed.   If you or any one else are interested in this look into ways to naturally increase your sertonin levels to see if it makes a difference.
My sister died 3 years ago, she signed herself out of hospital in her nightdress having arrived there unconious from alcohol earlier that day. They said it was her own decision to leave, alcoholism in their eyes is not a disability and they said she was sound of mind and knew what she was doing, we are in the proceeds of taking a court action against them and hopefully when it is over they will see that it is. It wont be an easy case to argue but i aim to give it my best shot.  My sister meant the world to me and i hate the fact that people think she choose to die like that.

-- Edited by dontlookback on Tuesday 26th of October 2010 06:18:27 PM

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I am so sorry

In AA we believe that we alcoholics have lost "The Power of Choice", please go to some open meetings and listen in, talk to some actual real live "recovered alcoholics" that have spent the last 20 years working with "wet alcoholics" and you will get a true understanding of your sisters actions

Happy Camper...gotta say it really saddens me when I hear, contrary to what the first step tells us, and what decades of valid medical and scientific studies have proven, that there are folks in AA who still think they "choose" their disease and the life-long course of its progression.

It is as judgmental and insensitive to imply that an individual with alcoholism controls their life-and death as an alcoholic as it is to blame the victim of cancer for its recurrence. We can do absolutely EVERYTHING "right" to put this disease in remission and keep it there, but we have NO guarantee. If so blessed, we have a "daily reprieve", based on our spiritual condition. That spiritual condition encompasses everything that we do to maintain the capacity to be honest and take the steps of the program, as suggested.

Neither AA nor any other recognized source of expertise claims that there is a "cure", which is what the notion of ultimately having a "choice" to drink or not drink implies. Not drinking does NOT remove the disease. It allows us to live WITH it, in a better state than when we were actively drinking. Current applied research has also proven that there are troublesome symptoms that emerge DURING periods of remission, which are primarily what the 12 steps and other tools for relapse prevention are there to help us with, so that once sober we don't return to sustained drinking again. The term "dry drunk" incorporates much of the non-drinking aspects of the disease. The simple concepts of AA, such as H.O.W, H.A.L.T., Easy Does It, etc are tried and true relapse prevention techniques.

When the disease impacts the body and the mind to the point of the medically-determined inability to function in daily living (long-term severe debilitation), it is indeed a disability, whether or not recognized by Medicaid or other restrictive laws.

Be grateful you are not the one with "wet brain" or end-stage renal failure, or dying of esophageal eruption. This is a "no fault" disease. We don't cause it, we don't control it, and we don't cure it. We learn to live with it. I truly hope if you ever relapse that no one among us here points a finger and says "See, you brought it on yourself".

Unless you are actually not someone for whom alcoholism is an issue, and you are not actually seeking help through the 12 steps and the fellowship of AA (including sites like this) I can only sincerely suggest that you revisit your first step. Whether your rationale for your assertions is denial or ignorance (I do NOT mean that in a bad way, I mean it in the sense of not having education about the disease) it is dangerous thinking, and a dangerous message to send to newcomers.