[pleikumud]

He said he has "battled with the disease of alcoholism"

It's not a disease, it's an acquired habit. The only real treatment is personal will power.

[D-fendr]

Desire to change is an absolute requirement.

"Will Power" is not necessary unless you're trying to do something you don't wish to do. Will power alone indicates a lack of desire to change, and by itself is quite useless in overcoming alcohol.

[Veto!]

It's not a disease, it's an acquired habit. The only real treatment is personal will power.

Those of us who are not alcoholics think it's personal will power. But apparetnly an addict has some condition that makes the will weak or nonexistent. AA gets a lot of people sober because many others in the same boat are succeeding in staying sober and helping others along. While some people can quit cold turkey, I believe that drunks and other addicts stand a much better chance by joining a group or getting some other kind of help.

Of course Mel Gibson knows all about this...has he been to The Betty? Or AA groups? I'd venture to guess that he has. Tons of Ho-wood people show up in these places and many find the help they need to stay away from their drug of choice.

Also, Gibson is a heavy smoker, considered by some to be another form of addiction. So the guy has an addictive personality, as they say. He can certainly afford to get all the help he needs. Of course, he knew that before getting a DUI like an idiot.

[Dark Skies]

It's not a disease, it's an acquired habit. The only real treatment is personal will power.

Watch out...passing turnip truck! Oops, someone fell off.

[Kimmers]

I am with you on the acquired habit thing......I have never thought of it as being a disease....just the same I understand it is a tough thing to get over and prayers for those suffering with it....

[DJ Taylor]

"It's not a disease..."

You're right, alcohol is not a disease, it's poison. Some can play with the alcohol snake for many years before it finally bites them, but the snake will bite some right away. If you may think you can play with the snake and it will never bite you as it did Mel Gibson, you are very wrong.

Mel Gibson needs our prayers right now, not our ridicule.

[Petronski]

It's not a disease, it's an acquired habit.

Uh, no. It's a disease.

[sonic109]

It's not a disease, it's an acquired habit. The only real treatment is personal will power.
Wrong on both accounts my friend .