ABSTRACT
The concept of addiction as originally formulated by Jellinek has, in spite of transmutations over the years, remained a divisive issue among the worlds of this arena. Jellinek initially defined “disease alcoholism” as loss of control over drinking, either the inability to abstain, or the inability to stop when started, i.e., addiction in the pharmacological sense. The term “normal drinking” conjures up an image of spontaneous joyful problem-free drinking, or, at the very least, carefully controlled problem-free drinking. The most energetic language, however, reflected the concern that the report would be misinterpreted as an invitation to all alcoholics to resume drinking. Typical was the response of clinical psychologist Mary Pendery, who then chaired the California State Alcoholism Advisory Board. Drinkwatchers’ basic stance is the belief in individuality, and the need for not one answer, but many. Members are interested in changing habits and mastering situations which cause abuse of alcohol.
