[Repealthe17thAmendment]

Regarding the disease concept, I believe that is the belief that alcohol actually has a different physical effect on alcoholics than with non-alcoholics. The common analogy is an "allergy", since some people have different physical reactions to things they are allergic to, as opposed to people who are not allergic to that substance. The alcoholic allergic reaction is called the "phenomenon of craving" because there is a distinct physical craving and agitation when one is withdrawing from alcohol, much like a smoker experiences a withdrawal from nicotine.

Also, it is commonly believed that this allergic reaction can be passed down from a parent. Whether this is true, I don't know, but alcoholism does seem to run in families, so there could be something to it. In any case, that's a question best left to the scientists.

As for blaming parents, the Big Book is pretty clear that "So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making." (page 62). If someone is blaming their parents, or wife, or employer, or anyone besides themselves, they are not properly following the AA program as outlined by the founders.

[Kickass Conservative]

Just wanted to clarify my earlier Post.

I used the word “blame” when speaking of AA Meeting attendees who identify their Families as Contributors of their Drinking Problems.

Allow me to change that terminology. Instead of “blame”, I should say that they “invoke” their Family History into their Sharing with the Group.

As a witness to this, and as a NON Alcoholic I only attend one AA Meeting a Year to support my Father, my take it that they are shirking their Personal Responsibility and looking for a scape goat.

Again, that is how I analyzed it and it may not be the case.
Didn’t mean to let my viewpoint blur the personal experience of the AA Meeting Attendees I was referring to.