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Sorry, but there is no "gene" that makes someone abuse alcohol. Yes, there is genetic evidence that some folks will "become" alcoholic easier than others (pre-disposed), but there is nothing that says if you have "x" gene, you will abuse alcohol. Hence, you are not born with the disease of alcoholism. If you have that gene, you are not doomed anymore than I to become alcoholic because you and I both have the freedom to make choices that will or will not result in becoming alcoholic. Now, some will become addicted faster than others because they are pre-disposed, but that doesn't mean they are "genetically alcoholics".

And again, being predisposed to something does not mean it is not a weakness. In fact, I would say that being predisposed to something is a weakness and we should recognize that and be on our guard so as not to fall into that weakness. I am not saying that to be haughty: I myself am predisposed to certain weaknesses and struggles.

For instance, some folks have a very low sex-drive. I am not one of those people. That's a biological fact with physiological reasons. However, that does not mean that I have the "disease" of fornication and/or lust since I am single. I may struggle more than some with my thought-life and control (am "weaker") but that doesn't mean a hill of beans. I have the same responsibility as everyone else to maintain my purity. So, while one person can watch a movie and not have it affect them in the least, I know there are some movies I simply must avoid to help maintain my purity.

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ORIGINAL: MindySue69

I could see that....

If I were to go get drunk tonight, I would be abusing alcohol.

If I were to get drunk every night, that would be alcoholism.

Eventually the constant abuse of alcohol will lead to alcoholism (addiction).

At least in my mind.

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Sorry, but there is no "gene" that makes someone abuse alcohol. Yes, there is genetic evidence that some folks will "become" alcoholic easier than others (pre-disposed), but there is nothing that says if you have "x" gene, you will abuse alcohol. Hence, you are not born with the disease of alcoholism.

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As I posted in another thread, if alcoholism is a disease, it's the only one that I can think of that can be stopped by simply quitting the very thing that caused it.

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Some of the information I am reading says that alcoholism and alcohol abuse are two different things.

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ORIGINAL: deliveredarling

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As I posted in another thread, if alcoholism is a disease, it's the only one that I can think of that can be stopped by simply quitting the very thing that caused it.

You also need to know that long term alcoholics will die a horrible death if they have been drinking for long periods of time, with out medical help.

!0 heroin addicts in a room and 10 alcoholics in a room. After one week who lives?

The heroin addicts will walk out of it just fine, they will wish they were dead while in the room.

Some of the alcoholics will be dead.

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I'm not sure what your point is. I know of some prisoners of war that have died deaths far more horrible than that. But the awfulness of their death had nothing to do with their eternal destination. The drunkard, OTH, is condemned even if they die peacefully in their sleep.

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Regarding a gene for alcoholism:

That doesn't negate what I said - in fact it goes right along with what I said. Someone with that gene is not an alcoholic - they are simply more predisposed to becoming an alcoholic if they choose to drink and abuse alcohol. The gene doesn't mean they are alcoholic - in fact, you can be alcoholic without that gene. The gene simply results in a greater tendency (or weakness ) to becoming one if you abuse alcohol.

Basically, the gene affects withdrawal symptoms, tolerance for alcohol and anxiety. Those factors make one more affected by the addictive aspects of alcohol. They are not "alcoholism" though.

For these reasons, I stand by my post. Nor does it negate the other points I made in my post which I'd be interested in others addressing.

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ORIGINAL: deliveredarling

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Regarding a gene for alcoholism:

That doesn't negate what I said - in fact it goes right along with what I said. Someone with that gene is not an alcoholic - they are simply more predisposed to becoming an alcoholic if they choose to drink and abuse alcohol. The gene doesn't mean they are alcoholic - in fact, you can be alcoholic without that gene. The gene simply results in a greater tendency (or weakness ) to becoming one if you abuse alcohol.

Basically, the gene affects withdrawal symptoms, tolerance for alcohol and anxiety. Those factors make one more affected by the addictive aspects of alcohol. They are not "alcoholism" though.

For these reasons, I stand by my post. Nor does it negate the other points I made in my post which I'd be interested in others addressing.

The gene is hereditary. It usually passes paternally. You can look through a person's history and it runs way back, passing from father to son. It can and does pass to females too. My parents had the gene passed it on to me and my brother, but neither of them are alcoholics. It came from the men on my mothers side.

If you want to get technical alcoholism is a outward solution to a corrupted soul. It is a soul sickness.
Sin for that matter is too. People don't want to look at that being a disease either. But when we figure out who and what we are, we realize the only solution is the Healer. We don't stop sinning on our own, we don't heal ourselves by quitting.

Alcoholics CANNOT quit on their own. Just like sinners can't stop sinning without Jesus Christ.

This topic is not one a person can argue logically without having experienced it. It's very different from what treatment centers and text books teach. To fully understand, one must experience it.

As we can obviously see from the responses. It's difficult to comprehend why someone can't just say no. It's difficult to stand by and watch the loved one create so much chaos and heartbreak, wrecking themselves and family in the process.

Again, it;s not weakness, It's a compulsion that is not controllable without the healing hand of God.

To put it in it's proper perspective:
The person who can't resist chocolate is weak and alcoholic who relies on the alcohol to function isn't weak, they are trying to survive.

Don't minimize what you don't fully understand, please.

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ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
If a person is physically addicted, no they can't stop on their own. It's not a simple matter of choice. If they could choose, they would not choose to be an alcoholic.

The whole essence of addiction is the loss of power to choose. It's the compulsion that over rides any sense of choice or logic.

They can decide that they want to quit drinking, yes. They still can not do it on their own.

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ORIGINAL: deliveredarling

Tinkerbell, my point was that Jesus is the solution because it is a spiritual problem.

I'm not making any assumptions about anyone here. If they have experienced it, it will be evident in the way that they respond, whether they share their story or not. There is a certain verbiage that is used in common circles

If a person is physically addicted, no they can't stop on their own. It's not a simple matter of choice. If they could choose, they would not choose to be an alcoholic.

The whole essence of addiction is the loss of power to choose. It's the compulsion that over rides any sense of choice or logic.

They can decide that they want to quit drinking, yes. They still can not do it on their own.