Understanding Addiction as Self Medication

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Addiction: Disease or Disorder
Scientists and clinicians are guided by theories to help them better understand
the nature of problems, and therefore solve them. As we noted in
the introduction, Einstein said our theories help us to identify the facts, a
point of view which runs counter to the more common belief that facts are
the foundation for theories. In the case of a condition such as addiction, a
model or theory for understanding it is especially important because the
way the condition affects those who suffer with it and those who witness
it is subject to horrible misunderstanding and moralistic judgments. Addicted
individuals also need a basis to understand how and why they succumbed
to and recovered from their disorder, a condition that is derailing
and bewildering. We trust this book will provide a basis to appreciate and
deal with the intolerance and confusion that addictive illness evokes in
those who experience it directly and family and friends who endure it indirectly.
Although addictive disorders have complicated medical and psychiatric
aspects, a natural experiment which began in the mid 1930s without
considering such complexities began to offer hope and a more sympathetic
perspective for understanding alcoholism. An unsuccessful stock broker
and a surgeon, both alcoholics, joined together to talk with each other
about their inability to not drink and the tragic consequences that resulted.
They quickly realized that it would help them and others if they
could recruit others to join them in the discussions about how they were
powerless over their addictions and needed each other to refrain completely
from alcohol. With these humble beginnings Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA) was born. Bill W. and Dr. Bob, the founders of AA, provided
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