Comments on: Drug Addiction and Alcoholism: Willpower or a Disease of the Brain? http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/ Overcoming Addiction, Growing In Addiction Recovery. Crucial Info On Getting Sober And Maintaining Sobriety. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:33:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dana Altman, Esq. http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-468478 Dana Altman, Esq. Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:43:09 +0000 http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/2008/02/23/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/#comment-468478 Thank you for an interesting article. I appreciate you bringing up the competing theories on the cause of addiction, and acknowledging that multiples factors are involved. It seems many tend to argue the disease concept to the exclusion of free will and personal responsibility. It is true that it is the addict's choice to initially consume whatever substance they are addicted to, which sets off the physical cravings that lead to consuming more. That initial choice may be conditioned by many factors, it is a complex matter. Thank you for pointing out the oversimplicity of limiting the cause of addiction to a single theory. Thank you for an interesting article. I appreciate you bringing up the competing theories on the cause of addiction, and acknowledging that multiples factors are involved. It seems many tend to argue the disease concept to the exclusion of free will and personal responsibility. It is true that it is the addict’s choice to initially consume whatever substance they are addicted to, which sets off the physical cravings that lead to consuming more. That initial choice may be conditioned by many factors, it is a complex matter. Thank you for pointing out the oversimplicity of limiting the cause of addiction to a single theory.

]]> By: Luke http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-435920 Luke Mon, 02 May 2011 03:18:25 +0000 http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/2008/02/23/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/#comment-435920 very informative Bill...I agree with your brain based approach. I also believe there is room for the biological aspect regarding genetics. There is alcoholism on my fathers side and I lost my sister to alcoholism in 2001. But regarding the "change" that occurs to the brain....this answers many questions such as why addicts relapse after 10 or 20 years and pick up right where they left off. I know this from experience too. Great article...may I quote you? Godspeed....Luke very informative Bill…I agree with your brain based approach. I also believe there is room for the biological aspect regarding genetics. There is alcoholism on my fathers side and I lost my sister to alcoholism in 2001. But regarding the “change” that occurs to the brain….this answers many questions such as why addicts relapse after 10 or 20 years and pick up right where they left off. I know this from experience too. Great article…may I quote you? Godspeed….Luke

]]> By: Sole http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-388427 Sole Sat, 13 Nov 2010 11:08:25 +0000 http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/2008/02/23/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/#comment-388427 That's informative. I've bookmarked it and will forward to all of my friends to read it.. That’s informative. I’ve bookmarked it and will forward to all of my friends to read it..

]]> By: Ben@Georgia DUI attorney http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-363555 Ben@Georgia DUI attorney Wed, 14 Apr 2010 05:38:10 +0000 http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/2008/02/23/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/#comment-363555 I really enjoyed reading your post. I will surely recommend this blog of yours. I really enjoyed reading your post. I will surely recommend this blog of yours.

]]> By: Ashley http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-360105 Ashley Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:09:41 +0000 http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/2008/02/23/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/#comment-360105 Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence is a disease that includes four symptoms: Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink. Loss of control: The inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion. Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to get high. People who are not alcoholic sometimes do not understand why an alcoholic can’t just “use a little willpower” to stop drinking. However, alcoholism has little to do with willpower. Alcoholics are in the grip of a powerful “craving,” or uncontrollable need, for alcohol that overrides their ability to stop drinking. Although some people are able to recover from alcoholism without help, the majority of alcoholics need assistance. With treatment and support, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives. Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence is a disease that includes four symptoms:

Craving: A strong need, or compulsion, to drink.

Loss of control: The inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.

Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.

Tolerance: The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to get high.

People who are not alcoholic sometimes do not understand why an alcoholic can’t just “use a little willpower” to stop drinking. However, alcoholism has little to do with willpower. Alcoholics are in the grip of a powerful “craving,” or uncontrollable need, for alcohol that overrides their ability to stop drinking.

Although some people are able to recover from alcoholism without help, the majority of alcoholics need assistance. With treatment and support, many individuals are able to stop drinking and rebuild their lives.

]]> By: brain disease http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-349498 brain disease Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:52:18 +0000 http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/2008/02/23/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/#comment-349498 It was really nice going through the post. Thanks for sharing your views and opinions on alcoholism and drug abuse with reference to the human brain. It was really nice going through the post. Thanks for sharing your views and opinions on alcoholism and drug abuse with reference to the human brain.

]]> By: kelly http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-347008 kelly Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:47:19 +0000 http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/2008/02/23/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/#comment-347008 we have Doctors that will explain this,though most of us try and keep it simple and stay in the solution and not the problem.http://www.soberliving.com we have Doctors that will explain this,though most of us try and keep it simple and stay in the solution and not the problem.http://www.soberliving.com

]]> By: sophie http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-260076 sophie Wed, 14 May 2008 14:35:24 +0000 http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/2008/02/23/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/#comment-260076 That’s interesting a much of the information on this site. I believe it has a lot to do with the brain. That would explain way some people can drink and not become addicts, or why some people do not drink at all. Depending on your brain, body and life experience, you can generally assume that all of these factors are attributed to alcohol abuse or lack there of. That’s interesting a much of the information on this site. I believe it has a lot to do with the brain. That would explain way some people can drink and not become addicts, or why some people do not drink at all. Depending on your brain, body and life experience, you can generally assume that all of these factors are attributed to alcohol abuse or lack there of.

]]> By: Bill Urell http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-180363 Bill Urell Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:15:43 +0000 http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/2008/02/23/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/#comment-180363 Just copy and paste into Word or notepad. That's fine. Just copy and paste into Word or notepad. That’s fine.

]]> By: Kim Duggins http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-179404 Kim Duggins Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:40:55 +0000 http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/2008/02/23/drug-addiction-and-alcoholism-willpower-or-a-disease-of-the-brain/#comment-179404 Please if youe site has printable info could you please e-mail me concerning addictions. I cannot download on my work computer but would apperciate any info you can send also would apperciate any direct mail I could receive. I feel this site is very benifical and would love to learn more. Thank You. Please if youe site has printable info could you please e-mail me concerning addictions. I cannot download on my work computer but would apperciate any info you can send also would apperciate any direct mail I could receive. I feel this site is very benifical and would love to learn more.
Thank You.

]]>