Is It a Disease or a Problem?

I once had a woman begin treatment who stated, “You aren’t going to like me, because I don’t admit that I’m an alcoholic.” I said, “You have a drinking problem don’t you.” She replied “Yes.” I then said when you drink you tend to drive correct?” and again she replied “Yes.” I said, “When you drink and drive you have a tendency to hit things don’t you?” Again, she replied “Yes.” I asked if she would be better off not drinking, and once again she replied “Yes.” I said, “The whole world would be better off if you weren’t drinking, and she gave her final “Yes.” I said: “Then I’m going to like you just fine, because I don’t care whether you admit that you are an alcoholic as long as you are aware that you and everyone else is better off with you not drinking.” Some people struggle with the notion that my addiction is a disease. We don’t want the stigma of having a disease. Others are comforted by the notion that I have a disease, or a brain disease and this knowledge gives them the strength to try and overcome their disease. The point is ultimately moot. If knowledge of having a disease helps you…great. If you refuse to believe you have a disease, well that’s fine too. There is little evidence that supports that admitting that you are an alcoholic or addict has any bearing on whether you are successful at recovery.