Alcoholism:
The Genetic Inheritance
Kathleen W. Fitzgerald, PH.D.
ISBN: 1-882195-01-9
For over thirty years the AMA has recognized alcoholism as a disease with identifiable and progressive symptoms that, if untreated, leads to mental damage, physical incapacity, and early death. Yet we still do not treat alcoholism as a disease, but as a sin, a social stigma, a moral aberration.
FitzGerald traces the roots of this disease to the alcoholic's unique and unusual body chemistry, laying to rest arguments for weakness of will or "alcoholic personality". Jellinek's disease is used as a synonym for alcoholism.
This sound and sensitive book addresses the very real pain that those who love an alcoholic must bear.
With compassion and honesty, the author speaks to these victims - the family and friends - and gives voice to its silent victims - the children. Moving stories illustrate the universal suffering that everyone whose life is touched by alcoholism knows so well, inviting them out of isolation into their own recovery.
Rarely does a book on alcoholism focus its attention on the family and friends of an alcoholic; this one does, and it does so with depth and understanding. It translates the cold, scientific pathology of alcoholism into meaningful human terms.
No matter how alcoholism has touched your life, this is the one source book that offers you complete understanding, sound medical facts, and most important, realistic help.
This revised paperback edition includes new chapters on Codependency, ACOA issues, and other addictions.
Chapter 1
Jellinek's Disease: A Chronic, Fatal, Progressive Illness
Chapter 2
Progression of the Disease: From Tolerance to Death
Chapter 3
The Alcoholic Person: An Inside Story
Chapter 4
Drugs: The Panorama of Jellinek's Disease
Chapter 5
Alcoholism and the Family: Roles and Stages
Chapter 6
Children of Alcoholics: The Walking Wounded
Chapter 7
Codependency: A Whole Lotta Holes
Chapter 8
Intervention: Getting the Job Done
Chapter 9
Treatment: Prologue to Recovery
Chapter 10
Surrender: The Heart of Recovery
Chapter 11
The Recovering Couple: The Courage to Change
Chapter 12
A Life of Sobriety: The Fellowship of A.A.
Chapter 13
National Policy on Alcoholism: Denial