X2.
If you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol you are one for the rest of your life. HTH.
Not sure I agree. I know all about Bill W., his program, and what the addiction experts all say, but I really think they're over simplifying the issue. And most of the counselors are themselves recovering something-or-others, who view the entire world through the eyes of an addict and accept the literature as gospel.
I've heard "experts" swear that if you've ever been drunk even once, you're an alcoholic, which sounds completely absurd. And they'll often immediately conclude that any other minor behavioral issue you make the mistake of "sharing" (overate once or twice, got a bit reckless with a credit card, etc.) is likewise an addiction that requires another recovery group in addition to theirs.
They are far from objective observers, and quite frankly, are themselves often entirely more fucked up than most of their clients. They live and breathe recovery, and everything in their lives revolves around meetings, steps, the program, and their "disease." They simply trade their substance addiction for a new one: the cult of recovery.
Back to the original point, though: Personalities vary, as do individual battles (successes and failures) with whatever substance one is currently struggling or has struggled. It's far from a perfect theory or system, and plenty of folks deal with their shit, either working the program, or simply quitting cold turkey. And plenty of those same folks eventually grow out of the reckless mindset that contributed to their problematic overindulgences, and no longer behave like addicts anymore (despite popular belief). They can even have a few drinks now and then ("Relapse" to the cultists) and be absolutely fine, just like any other responsible social drinker. They don't immediately fall back into the same impulsive habits anymore, as the experts would have you believe, because they are no longer that person. Happens all the time, just not with everybody.
It's absolutely behavioral and behavior can change. Obviously some are more prone to the behavior than others, but to call it a disease undermines/alters the word's definition (regardless of what the AMA says; they also said homosexuality was a mental disorder, so let's apply a little perspective with these geniuses). Plus, it's incredibly insulting to folks with cancer, MS, ALS, etc., who can't just twelve step their way to good health. In no universe, can a disease force your hand to grip a bottle and raise it to your mouth. The desire may be overwhelming, but following through is a CHOICE, absolute no-brainer.
Bottom line: If the program helps, embrace it; if you
know you've outgrown your "addiction," live your life accordingly and ignore the cultist dogma.
Fuck, that was a Prime/Basile novel there: TL;DR;GFM!
