AA maintains that alcohol addiction is a disease that can be put into remission through the spiritually based 12 step approach. Self-examination and both group and one on one connections support the discovery of underlying causes which can be addressed to assist in maintaining sobriety. In addition, my experience indicates the necessity of an appropriate pharmacological component derived from ongoing individual psychotherapeutic evaluation focused on treating any comorbid psychologically abnormal conditions revealed through the self-examination exercises of the 12 step program. In our culture today with the medical insurance format we have in place and the use of DSM-5 to diagnose psychologically abnormal conditions in order to provide health benefits labeling alcoholism a disease is a necessity. To those that argue alcoholism is a choice that morally deficient, weak minded individuals make my response is that while initially I did make the choice to pick up a drink the chronic use of it progressed and I did NOT choose to become an alcoholic. My body became tolerant and physically dependent on it and I have had some success in recovery based on compassion and appropriate medical and psychological treatment, just like those who suffer from any other disease. Shame is never the