What is the 3 Fold Disease of Alcoholism & Addiction

What is the 3 Fold Disease of Alcoholism & Addiction


What many people do not know is that the disease of alcoholism is deeper than an allergy and mental obsession. Our alcoholic life is really the symptom of a spiritual malady. For me the “spiritual https://ecosoberhouse.com/ malady†is underpinned by an emotion disorder and makes us over reactive as you say. The Oxford Group said it was a sin disease just as real as any other physical malady, I intend to agree.

This spiritual malady is the restless spirit, the soul sickness that if left untreated will begin to ooze symptoms of emotional insecurity worry, anger, self-pity, and depression, even if we have been sober for years. Frequently, individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction are also experiencing a mental health issue like an anxiety disorder or a depressive disorder. Abusing alcohol is a form of self-medicating that, at first and superficially, seems to help. However, it quickly becomes apparent that doing so is only masking the underlying issues.

What About God?

They oversimplify our problem and solution and can send the wrong information. Greater than the mind is reason; and greater than reason is He – the spirit in man and in all. AA provides many ways of becoming more spiritual malady emotionally well, which ultimately means more emotionally mature. My affective disorder via various neural and cognitive – affective mechanisms leads to chronic substance use and dependency of these substances.

  • The biggest problem is that our mind buys the lie that the next time it will be different.
  • I sin so naturally, effortlessly and usually without even trying.
  • We must live our lives selflessly and show our gratitude to a higher power for the lives that we live and the opportunity to have a second chance at life.
  • The odds are good that if you’re here and asking yourself questions like this, then you may have a problem.

When we have humility, the incessant chatter in our head is quieted and we can finally hear and see and do what we are brought here to do. When we get free from this obsession of self, we can access our true self and our power. Another common argument I see about AA is that pushing a message of humility on people who already feel like crap only adds insult to injury and is counterproductive. But it is their spiritual practices that I find deeply fascinating and are most telling here. Self-reflection , Amends and Service were all a core part of Gnostic teachings. The arguments against AA typically center on a few core themes, which I’ve attempted to lay out here. Although I’ve long wanted to write this piece, I’ve consistently put it off, opting for in-person discussions versus online debates, which are typically futile.

The Power of Obsession in Alcoholism and Addiction

For many struggling with alcohol use disorder or alcohol addiction, the only way to overcome these feelings is to embark upon a spiritual program of action fearlessly. Physical Allergy — AA believes that the body of an addict or alcoholic reacts differently to substances than a normal person. When an addicted individual partakes in their drug of choice, a physical craving beyond their control kicks in, compelling them to keep drinking or using. Twelve-step methods have been adapted to address a wide range of alcoholism, substance abuse, and dependency problems.

spiritual malady explained

Conveniently, I overlooked the words ‘God as you understand Him (or Her’) ingeniously included in the steps. Finally, someone explained to me that those things are not the insanity that the Big Book talks about; nor are those things why the alcoholic’s life becomes unmanageable. Our spirit is that voice inside us that is there from the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep.

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