Addiction to food and/or alcohol: No simple answer why

Jul 07, 2012

An OHer started a thread complaining about people not taking personal responsibility for their addictions. She complained that people too often blame that to which they are addicted (food, alcohol, drugs) or they blame the fact that they've had WLS for their transfer addiction.

I think this accusation leaves out one important thing: We are human beings, made of flesh & bone. We are fallible. We were born to make mistakes.

It also leaves out the fact that as humans, we need other humans to have a heart & reach out a hand in support in order to recover from our addictions.


In Alcoholics Anonymous we say alcohol is cunning, baffling & powerful.

Personal responsibility comes into play in so many facets of the human condition. It's part of the baffling part of alcohol (& other addictions, including food) that people from all walks of life - from the mail room clerk to the CEO - become addicts.

God willing, I'll celebrate my 26th year of sobriety next month. My father was an alcoholic & died of cirrhosis of the liver at 49. Within the last 5 years, scientists have discovered a gene in the DNA string that predisposes one to addiction. I knew in my gut - even when I was a teenager - that I shouldn't drink. But life happened, & in my weakness - & with an enemy that is cunning, baffling & powerful - I became an alcoholic in my early 20s.

Somehow, as I was drowning, I looked up (so far up) & saw the surface of the water with the sun shining on it. In my stupor I knew I wanted to be THERE, but I didn't know how to save myself. But I knew I wanted to be a good (single) mother to my young child, & I knew I couldn't stop drinking without help.

So that's what led me to the 12 steps in 1986.

There is so much about the workings of the body in relation to the brain & one's psyche that come into play when one speaks about addiction. Why does one become an addict? It's not just one thing - one's upbringing, one's genetic predisposition - that can provide the answer to this question.

In my personal experience in practicing the 12th step in AA & Overeaters Anonymous, I know for a fact that compassion & patience with the addict is the only way to help someone get sober.

One day at a time.

http://www.aa.org

http://www.oa.org

Love, GG 

7 Comments

About Me
VA
Location
19.2
BMI
Feb 01, 2012
Member Since

Before & After
rollover to see after photo
Leaving for the hospital 2/28/2012, 257 lbs.
257lbs
Christmas Eve 2012, 150 lbs! Lost 107 lbs in less than 10 months!
150lbs

Friends 18

Latest Blog 31

×