Loosid Sober Tip of the Day May 22

Sober Tips
#1

A disease that tells us we don’t have a disease.

The diseases of alcoholism and addiction are both diseases that trick us into thinking that we don’t have a disease. Although the jury has been ‘in’ for a very long time, it still tries to pull the wool over our eyes.

Addiction does not occur because of moral weakness, a lack of willpower or an unwillingness to stop.

There has been decades of work investigating the effects of substance use on the brain.

Here are the facts:

  1. In 1956, the American Medical Association (AMA) declared alcoholism an illness
  2. in 1987, the AMA and other medical organizations officially termed addiction a disease.
  3. Alcoholism, as defined by The American society of Addiction Medicine, is “a primary, chronic disease characterized by impaired control over drinking and preoccupation with the drug alcohol.”
  4. The definition also states that alcoholism is often progressive and fatal.

So why do millions of people still think it’s not a disease?

Well, one reason is because of lack of information. We simply have not read the above; what the medical community has concluded through decades of research.

Another reason is because our disease tells us so.

Still another reason for this is because there has been a stigma that has been created by people who are not properly armed with the facts that both alcoholism and addiction are not diseases, and it is these false stigmas that kill tens of millions of people every year.

If you are amongst the many who believe you have a lack of willpower, or have shame or guilt wondering why you cannot control or ‘handle’ your drinking or drug use the way others can, take solace in the fact that the science is in and this could not be further from the truth.

It is a disease and is not your fault.

Here’s the great news. Your disease is 100% treatable provided that you work a spiritual program of recovery.

How did this tip resonate with you? Let us know your thoughts below. There are many people in the Loosid community who need to hear what you have to say.

With Love, Loosid :pray::heart:

8 Likes
#2
#3

I really enjoyed this tip because I struggle with the moral and willpower components when I stumble. It’s nice to know it’s not my fault, and more importantly, there is a spiritual solution.

2 Likes
#4

I resonate with this. The guilt and shame. I love my God!

1 Like
#5

We can't help that we have an illness. But it is our responsibility to get treatment. I have no control whatsoever once I start drinking, but I do have control over that first drink and avoiding it all costs. For me to drink is to die and I choose life and recovery.

3 Likes
#6

With any disease you have to work and change your thinking
It’s only hard when you make it hard, with change you will feel healthier also grateful
Talk to God ask for help do the work

#7

Some of my family still believe that I'm just a failure because of my drug use that i should have just stopped a long time ago n then I did get clean but just recently relapsed but of course I'm keeping that secret cuz I know she will just think I'm a failure again

#8

Faith is definitely not for everyone.

#9

I LOVE your comment. I would like to use your comment in my recovery notebook, as I am in outpatient for alcohol, and taking my recovery very serious. 2 months sober and counting.