Understanding the Disease
Seeing alcoholism as an illness, not a moral failing.
“We didn’t cause it, we can’t control it, and we can’t cure it.”
The Shift from Blame to Compassion
When we live with alcoholism, it is easy to view the drinker’s behavior as a personal attack. We see the broken promises, the hidden bottles, and the missed events as choices made specifically to hurt us. This perspective keeps us trapped in a cycle of resentment and exhaustion.
Understanding the disease changes the fundamental nature of the problem. When we accept that alcoholism is a progressive, chronic illness—not a lack of willpower or a moral defect—the “window” of our perspective shifts. We realize that we have been trying to argue with a symptom. Just as we wouldn’t expect a person with a broken leg to run a marathon, we cannot expect an active alcoholic to act with the logic or reliability of a healthy person.
This understanding doesn’t excuse the behavior, but it protects our hearts. It allows us to move from “Why are they doing this to me?” to “This is what the disease looks like.” By accepting the medical reality of the condition, we can finally stop being the judge and jury, and start focusing on our own recovery.
Share Your Experience
How has your perspective on the disease of alcoholism changed the way you view the chaos?
Apply Understanding the Disease to your life, daily.
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Featured Reflections
5 hand-picked readings on understanding the disease.
Daily Reflections on Understanding the Disease
5 additional readings explore this theme.