Disease Model

In 12-steps

• The idea that alcoholism and addiction is a disease is actually quite controversial. Usually people think this is an AA idea. It’s not. In fact, none of the AA basic texts say that alcoholism is a disease. Describing the condition broadly, the Big Book refers to alcoholism as “an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer” (AA, 44). In 1961, AA founder Bill Wilson described the organization’s position: We have never called alcoholism a disease because, technically speaking, it is not a disease entity. For example, there is no such thing as heart disease. Instead there are many separate heart ailments, or combinations of them. It is something like that with alcoholism. Therefore we did not wish to get in wrong with the medical profession by pronouncing alcoholism a disease entity. Therefore we always called it an illness, or a malady—a far safer term for us to use. (Kurtz 2002, 22) DuFrene, Troy; Wilson, Kelly. The Wisdom to Know the Difference: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for Overcoming Substance Abuse (New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook) (pp. 161-162). New Harbinger Publications, Inc.. Kindle Edition.