Reply #10: I've heard about these, but...

[Tigress DEM]

Here's the thing:

Genetically, there is a specific chromosome in the DNA structure that is affected in people who are truly physically addicted Alcoholics - just as in anyone who is allergic to a substance has a real physical reason for their allergy.

There may be people out there who are able to control their drinking because of their determination, but if they have this chromosome out of whack they crave alcohol once they touch it and have a higher capacity to ingest it, so it really isn't a good idea regardless.

AA puts the emphasis on what they know works because people CAN control their drinking and still be Alcoholics. I guess we're talking about the "ism" here.

Remove the alcohol and they will find another addictive substance or behavior unless they take steps to find the root cause of their need to anesthetize.

I know these things because my first husband was in AA when we met, went to treatment and was training to become a Chemical Dependency Therapist and had to learn all this stuff in pharmacology.

And even though he knew everything I just told you he blew all that and several times afterward was probably up to blood alcohol levels approaching lethal.

When he wasn't drinking and not in AA, he would abuse prescription medication or use sex as a drug.

My point is if someone thinks they might have a serious problem with alcohol, it just isn't worth the risk to themselves or their loved ones to play Russian roulette with their sobriety.