Isn’t it pessimistic to believe that Addiction cannot be cured?
No - it is foolish to ignore the realities of deep Addiction. A person with diabetes is always at risk of recurrent illness - if they do not look after their health on a daily basis. But if they do what they need to do, a healthy and rewarding life usually results. The same is true for alcohol or drug dependence.

There are many false and fanciful beliefs about Addiction. While some prefer to believe that Addiction is ‘just a choice’ - that it can be cured by counseling or resolved by ‘understanding the root conflict’ - these beliefs do not usually result in lasting relief.

Recovery from Addiction requires a true understanding of the disease. Those who understand and do what they need to do for their recovery lead lives of satisfaction and health.

Another helpful way to think about alcoholism or addiction is to consider whether the person is in Active Addiction, is Abstinent or in Recovery.