"Addiction is not a disease it is a learning phenomenon." DR Marc Lewis

Dear Recovering Addict

You don't have a disease, isn't that great?

I celebrated when I found out and hope you will too, this is not an attack. If you perceive it as an attack, you are the person I most want to read this. If you are indifferent, you are the person I most want to read this. If you are grateful for this like me, you are the person I most want to read this.

Cancer is a disease. It's an identifiable lump that grows in your body. Either you recover from cancer, or you don't. It might come back, but you don't remain in a perpetual state of recovery from cancer or any other disease. Either you recover, or you don't.

Dyslexia is a learning phenomenon. It's something that makes learning challenging.

Saying you are a recovering addict is like saying you are a recovering dyslexic.

It doesn't make sense. It is the wrong way to approach a learning phenomenon and a huge obstacle to healing because it completely distorts our approach to solving it.

The AA literature is in large parts now wrong which is understandable because the Big Book came out on the 10th of April 1939! It was very progressive at the time, but things have come a long way in the last 78 years, haven't they?

In America where the book first came out black people are now allowed to vote and gay marriage, abortion and marijuana are no longer illegal in some states. We also have TV, the internet and smartphones.

Through Alcoholics Anonymous and its offshoots, people from all walks of life have come together all over the world to share their struggles honestly. It's an incredible thing, and long may it continue, but the literature obviously MUST be updated and you can be a part of advocating for that - Watch this space! Ucenter Dress formal wears for mature women over 40/50

For now the adjoining article offers an update on addiction based on the latest research and tag someone who needs to hear this.