Are AA/NA correct re their allergy theory?

I went to several AA/NA meetings and became interested in their allergy theory. As a doctor I found the work of Professor Pentney of Buffalo, NY interesting re structural changes in neurons due to alcohol. I previously thought alcoho/narcotics simply killed brain cells. The following is an attempt to join up the clinical features, nerve cell structural changes, immunology and brain imaging in dependency:
www.doctors.net.uk...
It`s a bit long, but it might help someone.

reply to post by dr treg


The link says you have to be a doctor with access to the site in order to view it.

Well now I think with you as a doctor we could agree that it would have to be subject to a medical model as opposed to a theory and see if it fits...

So if you as a doctor can diagnose, treat, and have effective results as an allergy...then...well it fits the medical model doesn't it?

Allergies are sometimes (as you know...) without any known cause but yet treatable and often times...dare we say it...curable...so I think labeling alcoholism and drug addiction as an allergy is fine...it fits the criterion for an allergy. I suppose though labeling it is less of the concern and treating/curing it is...so what do you feel comfortable with? Allergy fits...does biological evidence really need to back up the label...if so well then the symptoms and the treatments are within the scope of the medical model....so why not?

If it is decided that it is okay to label it as an allergy...would the treatment change? Probably not...would it become more socially acceptable...like an allergy to pollen...probably not...so I can understand your interest in the allergy theory...but I think the jury is still out on a absolute title of allergy.

Just my quick thoughts.

I can't view the link, but how is it that AA/NA is entertaining an allergy theory when they've already labeled addiction as a disease?

Originally posted by NightGypsy
reply to post by dr treg

 

The link says you have to be a doctor with access to the site in order to view it.

Does that mean your not a doctor either NightGypsy?

I skipped right over the link and went to sharing my opinion right away...too funny!!

reply to post by jerryznv

Does that mean your not a doctor either NightGypsy? I skipped right over the link and went to sharing my opinion right away...too funny!!

Indeed, I am no doctor! Haha....

I would like to participate in this thread, but it's kinda hard to do when I have no idea what's in the link......LMAO

reply to post by NightGypsy


I too kind of wanted to participate in this one...oh well

Here is a link to the Docstore though...where the OP's link was trying to get you to...LINK

I don't have any idea how legitimate the site is...but thought I would share that much anyway!

Heres an oldie but goodie.
Well everytime I drink I breakout in handcuffs.

Sounds like an allergy to me.

peace

Originally posted by NightGypsy
I can't view the link, but how is it that AA/NA is entertaining an allergy theory when they've already labeled addiction as a disease?

addiction isn't a disease...

it was mislabeled by the CDC.

the fact that you can overcome addiction with nothing more than words is proof enough for me that it is not a disease.

counciling and therapy are the primary treatments for addictions, and this is why we have AA/NA meetings

reply to post by dalemcfad

Heres an oldie but goodie. Well everytime I drink I breakout in handcuffs. Sounds like an allergy to me.

LMAO! Thanks for that insight, dalemcfad!

reply to post by kalisdad

addiction isn't a disease... it was mislabeled by the CDC. the fact that you can overcome addiction with nothing more than words is proof enough for me that it is not a disease. counciling and therapy are the primary treatments for addictions, and this is why we have AA/NA meetings

Well, I certainly question the idea of addiction being a disease, but "mislabeled" as a disease by the CDC? How's that?

I too have sat through several meetings in my lifetime. Addiction of any sort is most commonly referred to as a disease, and a chronic one at that.

However, not all people suffer from the same scope of addiction. In fact, some use to fit in and the rooms work for them because in a sense, no addict is turned away so long as they have the desire to get clean, stay clean, and find a new way to live.

A new way to live can be many things, some positive, some not. Nothing irritated me more than listening to someone with 20 plus years clean constantly gripe about their life, or in general people sharing about how they were just not capable of making good choices... even clean. I viewed these scenarios as more an excuse to get attention than a humble plea for help.

Others do a fine job of picking themselves up from rock bottom, and becoming productive members of society through good nature and service. ,

I never broke out in hives from using meth, and I haven't CHOSEN (key word) to use since October 12th, 2002.

I retired out of meetings becausr I chose to advance in other areas, maintain a clean life and raise my children alone whilst running my own contracting business. I enjoy a glass now and again... life is good.

In other news, I've always been allergic to cats... but my daughter wanted one so I got it for her. He is pretty awsome, and he is an outdoor cat

This is a small article I believe regarding what the whole thing is about. Alcohol an Allergy

I read it and I'm not sure I'm convinced but then again I'm not a Doctor either. The biggest argument seems to stem from a growing sensitivity to the alcohol over time. They compare it to hay fever where one can be free from pollen allergies for years and then suffer from them. As someone who had bad allergies when he was a kid I can also say the reverse is true. I grew out of them with no treatment. Sure, here and there stuff bothers me but nowhere as bad.

If it was allergy I would think there would be more of a growing aversion to it. Maybe it does share some similarities and maybe it is partly what could be an allergy but I think it is more than just an allergy.

Alcohol and drugs were never the problem, but the solution. When alcohol and drugs quit working, we had to turn to a spiritual solution.

Originally posted by NightGypsy
reply to post by kalisdad

 

addiction isn't a disease... it was mislabeled by the CDC. the fact that you can overcome addiction with nothing more than words is proof enough for me that it is not a disease. counciling and therapy are the primary treatments for addictions, and this is why we have AA/NA meetings

Well, I certainly question the idea of addiction being a disease, but "mislabeled" as a disease by the CDC? How's that?

Dependency on alcohol, also known as alcohol addiction and alcoholism4, is a chronic disease. The signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence include—

www.cdc.gov...


couldn't find the CDC link for catagorizing drug addiction as a disease, but got another government site claiming it

Recent scientific advances have revolutionized our understanding of drug abuse and addiction, which is now recognized as a chronic relapsing brain disease expressed in the form of compulsive behaviors

www.drugabuse.gov...

there are plenty of government sites that make claim that addiction is a chronic disease, but as far as I am concerned, you can't cure a disease with counciling...


for the record, I am an addict... however, being a smart one, I recognized it in myself long before it did major damage, and I made a choice to focus my addictive personality into something slightly less harmful to my body... thats right... I've been addicted to video games for 20 years heh and now ATS WOOT!

I work with addicts (mostly veterans) and one of the things I've noticed is that NA doesn't work so good.

It keeps people thinking they are powerless to control themselves, which is why I don't recommend it to the guys I work with. It is based upon a defeatist philosophy. Some people like that though.

That and there are drug dealers that take advantage of them at those places. Scumbags.