In 1956 the American Medical Association (AMA) declared Addiction to alcohol and other drugs, to be a disease. Definitions include disorder of human functions with signs and symptoms not caused by physical injury.
Some state it qualifies by these criteria: Primary: The illness exists in and of itself. (But may manifest in addition to other illnesses.) Chronic: Does not go away, heal spontaneously or remit. Progressive: Over time it gets worse. Symptomatic: Can be diagnosed by the way it manifests in a person’s physiology, behavior and lifestyle. Fatal: If left untreated will result in death.
Mrroscoe03 Forum Posts (10,296)
RE: Alcoholism
I spent 15 years in a 12 Step Recovery Program. ( I haven't been recently). I have been sober 16 years.I was taught & believe that we can recover from alcoholism, but are never " curred" of it.
I was also taught that, once someone is an alcoholic, that person can never again drink in safety.
The Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, is a great source for anyone who is interested in Alcoholism.
Sidebar: AA does NOT claim it is the only way one can recover from this disease.