We mean that we had a distinct physical desire to consume alcohol beyond our capacity to control it, and in defiance of all the rules of common sense. We not only had an abnormal craving for alcohol, but we frequently yielded to it at the worst possible times. The American Medical Association formally recognized alcoholism as a disease in 1972. Alcoholism results from a genetic predisposition working in combination with psychological and environmental factors. There is no cure.
Abstinence is the only treatment.
There is no known cure for alcoholism. Making amends is an essential part of Twelve Step recovery. In accordance with AA's Ninth Step and Tenth Step, we make direct amends to people we have harmed in the past and to those we continue to harm. But we could not. Some AA members attempt to find an easier, softer way to recover from alcoholism than having to work the Twelve Steps.