Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency
is a Family Disease
Why is it so difficult for someone
to stop drinking or using drugs?
The Big Book of AA accurately
describes the spiritual dilemma of
alcoholism. Notice we are NOT
describing the alcoholic or addict
but rather
the
disease
itself:
Cunning
Shrewdness, artfulness,
wiliness, trickery, finesse,
intrigue, slyness, deception.
Cunning implies a shrewd, often
instinctive skill in concealing or
disguising the real purposes of
one's actions; a clever,
unscrupulous ruse used to mislead
others; a successful artifice to
conceal one's motives. It also
suggests underhanded methods and the
use of deceptive devices and tricks
to attain one's ends: craft and
deceitfulness in every act. The art
or process of gaining the advantage
in situations by means of crafty or
ingenious ploys.
Baffling
1. To frustrate or check (a person) as by confusing or
perplexing; stymie.
2. To impede the force or movement of.
n. confusion, bewilderment, and
perplexity--constant frustration in
attempts to simply have normal
relationships with loved ones, which
are thwarted by the creation of
confusion or bewilderment to meet
the needs of the addiction.
Powerful
The force of addiction is
strong, powerful, mighty, potent.
Powerful suggests capability of
exerting great force or overcoming
strong resistance--a powerful
machine such as a bulldozer. Mighty,
overwhelming strength of power--a
mighty army. Potent implies great
natural or inherent
power--influential, convincing,
forcible, cogent, effective.
It’s important to fully realize
what we are dealing with when
dealing with addiction. We often
underestimate both the power of the
disease and its ability to deceive
as we wade in to try to help. This
is where experience, training and
extreme flexibility can make a huge
difference in outcome.
Quick facts about Addictions
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A typical treatment center in 1995 would have 80% of the patients
in the age group of 40 to 60
years of age. Today we have
an epidemic within our
younger people. Prescription
drugs are the new “dealer”.
Once the kids have run out
of the prescription drugs
they turn to the street
drugs- heroine. Now, in
2010, you will see in
treatment programs the ages
flipped around to 80% are 18
to 25 yrs old.
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One of every eight Americans has a significant problem with
alcohol or drugs, with 40
percent of the group having
a "dual diagnosis," or
concurrent mental/nervous
disorder.
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Approximately 27 million Americans either use illicit drugs
regularly or are "heavy
drinkers." Of these almost
16 million are estimated to
need immediate treatment.
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By age eighteen, almost 12 percent of all young people are
illicit drug users.
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An untreated alcoholic's medical costs are approximately 300
percent higher than
non-alcoholic's medical
costs.
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Approximately 70 percent of illegal drug users are employed and
contribute significantly to
workplace absenteeism,
accidents and injuries,
decreased productivity,
increased insurance
expenses, employee turnover
costs and on-the-job
violence.
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The estimated annual direct cost to our society resulting from
substance abuse is more than
250 billion dollars.
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It is generally accepted that chemical dependency, along with
associated mental health
disorders, has become one of
the most severe health and
social problems facing the
United States.* |
