People think of “alcoholism” as a binary. It’s not, and the new language reflects this. We absolutely should educate “problematic” drinkers that they are on a sliding slope to an ungroovy dependency.
It also highlights that just because you were classifiable as AUD, you won’t necessarily be so classifiable for the rest of your life.
The language of alcoholism often mirrors sermons of eternal damnation. Not a particularly inspiring starting point for treatment and a big reason why most people who succeed in getting past AUD don’t do it in groups that preach this eternal damnation angle.
It also highlights that just because you were classifiable as AUD, you won’t necessarily be so classifiable for the rest of your life.
The language of alcoholism often mirrors sermons of eternal damnation. Not a particularly inspiring starting point for treatment and a big reason why most people who succeed in getting past AUD don’t do it in groups that preach this eternal damnation angle.