Disease or Not – Does
it Matter? - 2006
Abstaining is a must, no matter what we call the condition
Back in 2000 I wrote an article
called Disease or Not - Does it Matter?
Here we are, some six years later
and Buddy T. over at Alcoholism.About.com has an article on an
National Institute on Drug Abuse study on
genetics and alcoholism.
In a nutshell, the article describes
that there may indeed be a genetic link in alcoholism and, I suppose,
other drug addictions. Or, more accurately, that there may be some sort of
genetic predisposition to alcoholism. Which is no surprise; most of us
recognize that alcoholism does tend to run in families. The study also
confirms that a genetic tendency is no guarantee that any particular
person will be come an alcoholic - again, no surprise. We all know not
every child in an alcoholic family becomes an alcoholic.
Mapping such genes, of course, leads
to the hope that eventually some sort of cure for addiction may be
possible. Gene therapy is in its infant stage and although it holds real
promise, we're years, maybe even decades, from effective gene treatment
for alcoholism.
What's important about this genetic study
The real win in this study is that
knowing the tendency toward alcoholism may be genetically related might,
in fact probably will make it easier for some to admit to the problem and
seek treatment.
The issue today is still
abstaining
Genetic studies are all to the good,
but today, for the alcoholic, the issue is still finding a way, one day at
a time, to keep from drinking. The same is true for the drug addict.
Alcoholics Anonymous and the other 12
Step Programs still offer the alcoholic the best hope for true freedom and
real sobriety.
Our simple, spiritual program has
demonstrated over and over again that it works for people who work the
program.
So three cheers for science, but
stick with the program - it works day in and day out.
Love, peace and
abundance,
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