I got out of the debating society about the
But You Know . . . Facts Are FACTS !
Below Are Thoughts To Ponder . . .
At a annual meeting of the National Catholic Clergy Conference on Alcoholism in 1961,
our co-founder Bill Wilson specifically was asked a question about alcoholism as being
a disease Or a illness.
Below is Bill W's answer. . .
"We ( A.A.) have never called alcoholism a disease because, technically speaking, it is not a
disease entity. For example, there is no such thing as heart disease. Instead there are
many separate heart ailments, or combinations of them. It is something like that with
alcoholism. Therefore we did not wish to get in wrong with the medical profession by
pronouncing alcoholism a disease entity. Therefore 'We Have Always Called It An Illness',
or a malady -- a far safer term for us to use."
1. The American Medical Association {AMA) in 1956 declared Alcohol addiction as a "illness" and the alcoholic is a sick person.
2. The alcoholic/addict can be helped and is worth helping.
3. This is a public health problem; therefore, a public responsibility.
topic above a long time ago, accepting
which ever it is 'I've got it.'
A.A. Big Book
*Alcohol-ism is defined as a "Seemingly Hopeless State Of Mind And Body." (B.B. Pg. xiii)
*The Alcoholic has a Allergy of the Body and a Obsession of the Mind. (B.B. Pg. xxv)
American Medical Association
*Alcoholism is an "Illness (1956)" characterized by preoccupation with alcohol and loss of control over its consumption such as to lead usually to intoxication if drinking is begun; by chronocity; by progression; and by tendency to relapse.
Howard Clinebell
*An alcoholic is anyone whose drinking interferes frequently or continuously with any other important life adjustments or interpersonal relationships.
LAY
*Alcoholism is a physical allergy coupled with a psychological compulsion.
DR. Harold W. Lovell (President N.C.A. Ret.)
*Alcoholism, then, is a condition characterized by uncontrolled, compulsive drinking.
World Health Organization
*Any form of drinking which in its extent goes beyond the traditional and customary dietary use or the ordinary compliance with the social drinking customs of the whole community concerned, irrespective of the etiological factors leading to such behavior, and irrespective also of the extent to which such etiological factors are dependent upon heredity, constitution, or acquired physio-pathological and metabolic influences.
Marty Mann (one of the early sober women in AA)
*Alcoholism is a 'disease' which manifests itself chiefly by the uncontrollable drinking of the victim who is known as an alcoholic.
The "recovery" community's adoption of the "Disease Concept" began with an early AA member named Marty Mann. Her efforts, combined with a somewhat dubious scientist named E.M. Jellinek, began national acceptance of the "Disease" concept.
It was Jellinek's self-proclaimed "scientific" study that opened the door for the medical community's support. E.M. Jellinek's study was funded by the efforts of Marty Mann and R. Brinkley Smithers. And, like so many other circumstances involving Jellinek and Mann, the study was bogus, if not outright fraudulent.
The surveys Jellinek based his conclusions on were from a hand picked group of alcoholics. There were 158 questionnaires handed out and 60 of them were suspiciously not included. His conclusion was based on less than 100 handpicked alcoholics chosen by Marty Mann.
Mann (a wealthy person), of course, had a personal agenda to remove the stigma about the homeless and dirty alcoholic or "bowery drunk" in order to gain financial support from the wealthy. By removing the stigma, the problem becomes one of the general population, which would then include the wealthy.
The first step was Jellinek publishing his findings in his book "The Disease Concept of Alcoholism," which was based on selected subjects who fit the criteria supporting Mann's preconceived conclusions.
Later, E.M. Jellinek was asked by Yale University to refute his own findings. He complied. E.M. Jellinek's The Disease Concept of Alcoholism did not stand up to scientific scrutiny.
Early in the 20th Century, the validity of the disease concept was often debated in medical circles. However, in 1956 the American Medical Association (AMA) proclaimed alcoholism an "illness."
Between 1980 and 1991, medical organizations, including the AMA, worked
together to establish policies regarding their positions on the "Disease Theory." These policies were developed in 1987 in part due to the fact that;
Insurance Reimbursement for Treatment for the Alcoholic Was "Difficult Or Impossible", "Unless Alcoholism Was Categorized As A Disease."
In 1991, The AMA further endorsed the "Dual classification of Alcoholism"
by the International Classification of Diseases under both psychiatric and medical sections as a "Mental Illness."
our A.A. Big Book, alcoholism is always
referred to as being "An Illness."
Alcoholism is a Choice . . . Not a Disease !
IF YOU WISH TO DRINK,
IF YOU WANT TO STOP,
IF YOU WANT HELP
Call A.A. World Services, Inc.
THAT'S YOUR BUSINESS.
THATS OUR BUSINESS.
THERE IS A SOLUTION !
New York, NY.
212.870.3400
WebPage Sourse Links:
Alcoholism Is Not a Disease
A.A. and the Disease Concept of Alcoholism .pdf
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