lusciousladdlelady
-isms 1: Alcoholism
–nounPathology.
a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages, the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake, morbidity that may include cirrhosis of the liver, and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally.
In my eyes, alcoholism isn't always drinking non-stop, but more about drinking in a way that interrupts your life. The hard part about that is that often what is interrupted is relationships with other people, or your ability to cope with anything stressful or unpleasant without alcohol. In that kind of alcohol abuse it usually takes people risking their relationship with you to point it out . . .
Chemical dependency runs in my family in lots of different forms, including alcoholism, though it often goes unacknowledged. Sadly this means it often goes untreated. As such, i have endeavored to maintain healthy relationships with suspect substances, and in some cases, to stay way altogether.
Now, i must admit that when writing the first, second and third drafts of my second masters, i drank my way through it. That stemmed mostly from the need to write and to turn off the part of my brain shouting, "This life really SUCKS. Can we stop?!" It was very unhealthy for me to deal with that by drinking, but i did swear to not drink for 6 months afterwords, and lived up to that with no problems, so i hope this means that i was able to turn away from the dark side.
i personally believe that alcoholism is a disease, but i think it's also a choice and responsibility. For me, it's like my asthma. i can't expect it to ever fully go away, it will always be a part of me, and managing it so that i can be my healthiest self is up to me. i have to choose that every day and make smart choices so that i have the best chances of having the least problems.
*Artist's notes: i wanted to depict that drinking is a compulsion, but a choice, which is why i showed the 6 pack next to the AA book. No, the book isn't mine - belongs to someone i know in recovery. Also, the bottles - i saved empties for weeks, and STILL had to get some out of communal recycling!*
-isms 1: Alcoholism
–nounPathology.
a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages, the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake, morbidity that may include cirrhosis of the liver, and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally.
In my eyes, alcoholism isn't always drinking non-stop, but more about drinking in a way that interrupts your life. The hard part about that is that often what is interrupted is relationships with other people, or your ability to cope with anything stressful or unpleasant without alcohol. In that kind of alcohol abuse it usually takes people risking their relationship with you to point it out . . .
Chemical dependency runs in my family in lots of different forms, including alcoholism, though it often goes unacknowledged. Sadly this means it often goes untreated. As such, i have endeavored to maintain healthy relationships with suspect substances, and in some cases, to stay way altogether.
Now, i must admit that when writing the first, second and third drafts of my second masters, i drank my way through it. That stemmed mostly from the need to write and to turn off the part of my brain shouting, "This life really SUCKS. Can we stop?!" It was very unhealthy for me to deal with that by drinking, but i did swear to not drink for 6 months afterwords, and lived up to that with no problems, so i hope this means that i was able to turn away from the dark side.
i personally believe that alcoholism is a disease, but i think it's also a choice and responsibility. For me, it's like my asthma. i can't expect it to ever fully go away, it will always be a part of me, and managing it so that i can be my healthiest self is up to me. i have to choose that every day and make smart choices so that i have the best chances of having the least problems.
*Artist's notes: i wanted to depict that drinking is a compulsion, but a choice, which is why i showed the 6 pack next to the AA book. No, the book isn't mine - belongs to someone i know in recovery. Also, the bottles - i saved empties for weeks, and STILL had to get some out of communal recycling!*