Alcoholism Myths and Realities: Removing the Stigma of Society's Most Destructive Disease Review

Doug Thorburn has made it his life's work to study and learn about alcoholism, our society's most destructive disease.

This book address the myths that still exist, (p.7) such as:

Myth#1, "brain damage occurs only in obvious alcoholics."
In truth, most recovering alcoholics admit their disease was triggered during their first drinking episode, usually at age 12 or 13.

They often say (p.9) "I felt powerful." This feeling of power results in the inflated ego that accompanies alcoholism. Thorburn states that the buildup of poison on the brain results in brain damage that causes distortions of perception and memory.

Thorburn debunks Myth#2, "the average age at which one becomes an alcoholic is 40." Many addicts began drinking alcoholically in their teens.

Myth #3- Alcoholism is a spiritual disease:
Recovering alcoholics (p.10) often confuse cause and effect, believing that loss of spirituality precipitated their alcoholism, when in actuality, the loss of spirituality is an effect of alcoholism. (I feel powerful, I feel like God).

Myth #4- You can choose not to be an alcoholic:
You can no more choose (p.11) not to have alcoholism than to have or not have, early-onset diabetes. All the alcoholic can choose not to do is drink.

Myth# 5- The addict is in denial:
"Denial" implies (p.13) a willful refusal not to admit to something. Since alcoholism causes self-favoring distortion of perception, and often no memory at all, there is nothing to admit. One cannot be in denial about something that he is incapable of seeing.

These are just a few of the 118 Myths that Thorburn addresses. The information that he provides can make a huge difference to all of us. With a greater understanding of this devastating illness, we can save ourselves years of grief, befuddlement, and confusion.

As with any illness, knowledge is power. This is especially true with alcoholism, due to the fact that the disease affects body, mind, and spirit, and causes such illogical, dangerous, destructive behavior.

Just as an early diagnosis of cancer increases the chances for successful treatment, so too does the early diagnosis of alcoholism increase the chance for a successful recovery.

This is Thorburn's mantra:
Learn to spot alcoholism in its early stages, before it has the time and power to upend lives, break hearts, and destroy families. Thorburn covers every aspect of the disease. He is a proponent of using "tough love" with the alcoholic; letting the painful consequences of the disease finally bring the addict to the realization that he or she, needs help.

This is a necessary book for anyone living in our drinking culture. Chances are you know someone right now, or might be living with someone, who is drinking alcoholically. With this powerful information, you may save a life. That life may even be your own.

The book has an excellent index that makes it very easy to find pertinent subjects. This book is a great, updated addition to the many classics on the subject. It should become a classic too. Very heartily recommended. I'd like to give it more than 5 stars!





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