You may be disappointed to know that I don't mean to include White Castles in this description either. Sorry.

We are talking about something else entirely. Something that can be very difficult to understand for the average heavy drinker, alcohol abuser, drug addict or even Murder Burger fanatic - unless they also happen to be alcoholic.

We are talking about craving for ALCOHOL (ETOH) - phenomenon that doesn't even occur until ETOH is FIRST introduced into the body and from which once detoxed, the sufferer cannot even crave anymore - until he once again drinks.

Weird huh?

Here’s a good question:

“In order for an alcoholic to be an alcoholic of the type described by the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous and for whom the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous was formed, must there be an actual allergy to alcohol?”

(We are putting the mental component aside for the moment)

"We believe, and so suggested a few years ago, that the action of alcohol on these chronic alcoholics is a manifestation of an allergy; that the phenomenon of craving is limited to this class and never occurs in the average temperate drinker." (1)

"This phenomenon, as we have suggested, may be the manifestation of an allergy which differentiates these people, and sets them apart as a distinct entity." (1)

"Suggested"? --- “May be”? --- The idea that the phenomenon of craving is a scientifically endorsed "Allergy" doesn’t sound very solid does it?

And it’s not - and Dr. Silkworth goes one step further to acknowledge the possibility of his erring in characterizing the phenomenon he discovered as incorrect when he says, “This immediately precipitates us into a seething cauldron of debate. Much has been written pro and con, but among physicians, the general opinion seems to be that most chronic alcoholics are doomed." (1)

He admits that “Allergy” his “Suggestion” which “May be” is certainly not an ironclad medical fact. He admits that it is DEBATABLE. The observation of the phenomenon is not in question, but use of the word “allergy” is. So what.

What IS solid is the doctor’s observation of the phenomenon itself, whether it be an allergy or not.

Even the co-author’s commentary on the good doctors “Suggested” use of the word “Allergy” was not bought one hundred percent. They say, “ The doctor's theory that we have an allergy to alcohol interests us. As laymen, our opinion as to its soundness may, of course, mean little. But as ex-problem drinkers, we can say that his explanation makes good sense. It explains many things for which we cannot otherwise account.” (1)

The lowdown on this is that they are telling us,

“HEY. We don’t know what the hell it is. Maybe it’s some kind of allergy or something. All we know is that is exists and it only exists in people like us who are different”.

They are also telling us that, “In our belief, any picture of the alcoholic which leaves out this physical factor is incomplete." (1) Tell that to your "Addictions Counselor" on your next run through the Rehab Mill. He won't know what the fuck you are talking about.

Whether or not I use the word allergy is really not important. I don’t let unbelievers get me all bogged down in the semantics of this - it gives them too much fodder with which to discredit AAs “Description of the alcoholic”. What I also DON’T allow is someone to tell me that without experiencing the phenomenon of craving - that someone still ought to qualify for my sponsorship. Friendship? Yes, of course! Sponsorship? Absolutely not!

AA is full of folks who can’t stop once they start - BUT CAN "Not start” if they need to be sober for a spell - say for an important meeting, class, job interview - or just so wifey, hubby, Judge Blackrobe or yes even Sponsor Pete and Home Group is pleased. Hell he can stay away from a drink long enough to make an AA meeting and get a medallion!

These people may experience a physical craving for ETOH and this is a serious problem for them. But they are not powerless over alcohol if they are able to just “Put the plug in the jug” and that solves it for them. Once realizing they cannot stop once they start all they need do is NOT START! You know . . . “just don’t pickup the first drink and then I can’t get drunk”. I am the type of drinker however who can not only stop once I start - but I can’t even NOT START!

There are real alcoholics of MY TYPE out there who need help and to waste time with these other types can mean the death of a true sufferer. Maybe if I were running some sort of Treatment-Rehab facility with a staff of holy men on board I could afford to take them all in and sort them out later - but I am only one man. (Excuse me, I must take a break now - until my laughter subsides. The picture of that is too hysterical.)

Ok, I’m back. Pheeew!

Anyway . . . It is the physical craving - (“Suggested” as an allergy) which is present in ALL alcoholics and maybe even some non-alcoholics, which Dr. Silkworth AND the co-authors insist is part and parcel to the “Description of the alcoholic” they exact for us.

Whether anyone wants to call it “ALLERGY” or not is immaterial. They SAY it is immaterial - as long as we acknowledge some sort of phenomenon.

Call it CacaPooPooPeePee Syndrome if you like it doesn’t matter - but we do acknowledge that, “We know that while the alcoholic keeps away from drink, as he may do for months or years, he reacts much like other men. We are equally positive that once he takes alcohol whatever into his system, something happens, both in the bodily and mental sense, which makes it virtually impossible for him to stop” (22:4)

So if you are offended by my use of the word allergy, then you may feel better in knowing that I am a real alcoholic and I have suffered from a malady which is a mental obsession combined with CacaPooPooPeePee Syndrome. Feel better now?

But this article would not be complete without giving something to all of us who DO like to refer to the physical craving as an “ALLERGY”. Take heart fellow allergic, for what follows are the definitions of “allergy” from Merriam Webster’s dictionary.

First let’s look at one definition, the one everyone like since it’s likely to be the only one to which they have been exposed: (from Merriam-Webster )

First let’s look at one definition, the one everyone like since it’s likely to be the only one to which they have been exposed: (from Merriam-Webster )

1 : altered bodily reactivity (as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure

Ahh but “Allergy” is not limited to this single description. Now try this definition – just as valid - on for size: 2 : exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual.

THIS is the definition which applies to alcoholism – not the first – but ignorance the second definition is no excuse for passing around false information, is it? The most popular “definition” - the one to which most of us have limited our knowledge is NOT what we are talking about when we talk about alcoholic allergy. If can expand our knowledge base to include the WHOLE definition of “allergy” and not keep it only to our own limited experience – ANYONE can understand why all alcoholics ARE allergic to alcohol.

When an alcohol allergic person has so much as one drop of alcohol, they experience an exaggerated or pathological reaction to the alcohol that are without comparable effect on the average individual. It is estimated that only ten to fifteen percent of the world's population are afflicted – which perhaps is why you have never been exposed to the whole definition of “allergy” – it just does not apply to most people.

But just because of that – no one should don’t rule out how we real alcoholics react to ETOH. The exaggerated or pathological reaction manifests itself as a phenomenon of craving. Craving is not a reaction which the average individual experiences when they ingest alcohol.

This happens ONLY to alcohol allergic people. Can you see how what we don’t know – and claim to know - can harm others?

So take heart - both “allergy” folks and “physical craving” folks. If the word “Allergy” is pissing people off - then don’t use the word. Screw it! It matters little as long we acknowledge the physical craving that other temperate drinkers - non-alcoholics - do not experience.

Here’s an article that may be of interest to you if you care to learn more. If not just click away to other regions of the Internet.

Peace,

Danny S

PS The answer to the first question at the beginning of this article should be apparent if you've read it. It is YES.

(1) the Doctors Opinion, "Alcoholics Anonymous"