What is Alcoholism/Addiction/Chemical Dependency?

Alcoholic and chemically dependant are the same things just a matter of preference. The kid who smoked green sticky buds for seven years is still an alcoholic, regardless of not ever having used alcohol. The young teen conflicting with fitting in and doing good in school or the teen that gets picked up in addition to having low self esteem is very well capable of becoming an alcoholic as the gangbanging drug dealer or the cheerleading prom queen. The difference in the ability to become addicted to any chemical is close to none, however, through Alcoholics Anonymous we learn that the only important information in recovering is the ability to be honest, open, and willing to change.

The big misconception of any alcoholic or chemically dependant person is that the things he or she did as an active user is not truly who we are. Our disease had control of us whether we believe it or not. “To get well, you must get even sicker first,” is a phrase from the famous Alcoholics Anonymous text which means exactly as it sounds. In order to get better, one must experience a point of “rock bottom” to entirely get in what alcoholics call a “clean slate.” (Alcoholics Anonymous Fourth Edition.) To begin a new manner of life is to completely end the cycle of the bad way of life. In our way of life the next effort to become a better person and believe it or not we could all stand some improvement alcoholic or not, would be to obtain a more satisfying direction.

SOURCE:
Jane L. Uva. "Alcoholics Anonymous: Medical Recovery Through A Higher Power." Expanded Academic Index.