12 steppin' my way to being healed!

[Aces]

The brain is an organ like the heart or liver. The brain changes physically and chemically as you become addicted. These changes cause harmful behaviors and are evidence of a "disease state" (like a black lung or hardened artery). Many of these changes are irreversible. People argue that you choose to become an addict but you don't choose to get heart disease, but that's false. No one wants to be an addict, but their genetics and lifestyle choices lead them to that state. It's exactly the same with heart disease. Some combination of genetics, diet and exercise determines your risk.

Without making the most personal and exposing post ever, I will tell you that I know what addiction is and I know that anyone that calls it a disease is bullshitting you. If you really and truly want the whole story, you can pm me and i'll tell you everything. Anyone that wants to know privately may pm me.

Have to agree with Zook. I wouldn't say I"ve personally been an addict but it definitely runs through my family, and I've been to more than a few 12 step meetings(as a supporter) in the process as well as family group/education meeting for other non-AA treatment facilities. Addiction most definitely is a disease and I think it becomes easier to overcome once you treat it as such.

As to all the misinformation here regarding AA....it may not be for everyone, but it does work pretty damn well. Most of the "religous" references I"ve seen are not to God as such but to a higher power. I'm sure there are some meetings that are better or worse in this regard, but if you're an addict you might try a few different meetings before denouncing the entire program. A very close relative went through a half dozen different treatment programs and finally this one worked. It also provides a continuing support group with having a sponser and meetings that you can find all over the country. I have no doubt they would be dead or in jail if not for this program.