[font color = blue]>>You seem to be under the impression that a lot of current debate could be ended if only people were provided with a few links to a list of medical definitions. Is that something you really believe? <<[/font] (emphasis added by Progree)
It would be a necessary starting point to have a definition or definitions of disease. Yes, that is something I really believe. I don't know how one can ask "Is addiction really a disease?" etc. etc. as you did in the OP, without considering as a starting point a definition or definitions of disease. Then we can progress.
Otherwise, I have one thing in my head about what a disease is, or those medical dictionary definitions I provided AS A STARTING POINT, and you have some other definitions of disease in your head, or some book somewhere, and we'd be fruitlessly talking past each other forever and ever in endless mental masturbation.
Not all debates would be shut down by a clear definition or set of definitions. But a lot of silly ones that one finds on recovery message boards would end.
And just out of curiosity, would it make any difference if we used the term "malady" or "disorder" or something else? Everybody seems to agree SOMETHING is wrong with someone knowingly using a chemical in a profoundly self-destructive way. But for some reason,some people who agree that addiction is a sickness or malady or disorder goes bananas when the D-word (disease) is used. But when one tries to find out what freaks out the person about the D-word, and ask for a definition (a reasonable start to try to find out their particular hangup with the word), either the discussion ends, or insults, ducking and deflecting begin.
[font color = blue]>>But we are getting a bit far from talking about meetings, sponsors and sober days and I fear that this discussion is going to be shut down soon. The "higher powers" around here have a tendency to dislike non-AA discussions. <<[/font]
Oh, I don't know about that. I've seen discussions here about non-12-step recovery like S.O.S. and SMART and the like, and the general attitude has been to each their own, whatever works for you is great. Just as long as someone doesn't try to say one program or approach is bad for others, and another is good for others. I can talk about what works for me. It's when I start telling you what works for you is when I'd get in trouble.
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