Three Common Myths About Alcoholism

Three times a week, I go to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and say "My name is Becky, and I'm an alcoholic." I've been doing this for a little more than a year now, and the further along I get in sobriety, the more I learn. There are many myths about alcoholism, some of which I'm still learning to accept as myths. But recognizing these myths as such is crucial to recovery from addiction.

"Alcoholism is a Sin, Not a Disease."

This is one myth I'm not sure whether or not I believe. As a Christian, I believe the Bible teaches that drunkenness is a sin. The logical conclusion, then, is that alcoholism is a sin. But that's not the case.

In order to be a sin, we have to have a choice in the matter. An alcoholic does not have choice. An alcoholic has a physical addiction coupled with a mental compulsion. An alcoholic needs the alcohol and has no choice in the matter. We can only choose to recover.

I remember wandering around the streets one Christmas morning in search of a drink, only to be thwarted by state law that forbid selling alcohol on Christmas. I remember the feeling of desperation I had--I needed that drink. That's when I realized I had a problem.

Medical science classifies addiction as a disease. It is time for the church to do the same.

"You Just Need a Little Willpower."

This goes along with the alcoholism as sin myth. No amount of willpower alone can overcome the disease of addiction. I should know--I'm as stubborn as a Missouri mule and I've tried to beat it by willpower alone.

The First Step is admitting powerlessness over the addiction and that life is unmanageable. Helplessness means just that--willpower is not helpful, and neither is all the discipline in the world. Life is unmanageable precisely because willpower and discipline are of no use.

The belief that discipline and willpower are enough leads to a worse relapse than belief it is a disease. We relapse, then we use more to squash our feelings of guilt. Belief in a disease, however, allows us to acknowledge that the sickness is constantly prowling, waiting to consume us. We relapse, we realize our problem, we go back to the program.

"Alcoholism is Not that Bad."

I could write an entire post on this myth alone. I remember when my college therapist asked if I'd considered attending AA meetings. I replied "It's not that bad."

"I think it is," she replied, and I grudgingly agreed to go to a meeting.

At the first meeting, I didn't acknowledge I was an alcoholic--I simply said I had a "drinking problem." Denial ran me right back into the bar.

Years later, a crisis counselor told me that if I were a functioning alcoholic, my alcoholism wouldn't be a problem. That's the worst possible way to look at it. In AA we call it "a case of the yets"--X hasn't happened... yet. Once upon a time I was a functioning alcoholic, but as my alcoholism progressed, that changed. Alcoholism is a progressive and fatal illness.

Realizing the Truth

The truth about alcoholism is that it is a progressive illness that no amount of fortitude can beat. Realizing this truth is the first step to recovery.

Alcohol is a liar. It is "cunning, baffling and powerful." Alcohol encourages us to believe these myths to keep us in its grasp. Remember, you can't trust a coping skill that ultimately wants to see you dead, which is what alcohol does.

What are some myths about substance abuse you've heard and learned to dismiss as lies?

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