The Disease Model Doesn’t Let Me Off the Hook

The Disease Model Doesn’t Let Me Off the Hook

From Sober Friends by Matt J

June 2, 2026 · 36 min · Episode 278

About this episode

Matt and Steve discuss the disease model of alcoholism and the importance of connection in sobriety.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Matt and Steve talk about the disease model of alcoholism—not as an excuse, but as a way to understand why alcohol affected them differently than it does other people. The conversation starts with the idea of “getting better and leaving,” and turns into a deeper look at why staying connected still matters, even after years of sobriety. They discuss personal responsibility, AA, the “built-in forgetter,” and the strange reality of still noticing alcohol in ways...

People in this episode

Host: Matt

Guest: Steve

Topics covered

  • disease model
  • alcoholism
  • personal responsibility
  • sobriety
  • connection

Keywords

  • alcoholism
  • disease model
  • sobriety
  • personal responsibility
  • AA
  • connection
  • mental health

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: AA

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