--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am an alcoholic, as I said. And it is…" description: "\"I am an alcoholic, as I said. And it is however we call it, a disease. That's an explanation, but not an excuse.\" — Malachy McCourt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/malachy-mccourt-10845_alcoholic_i-am-an-alcoholic-as-i-said-and-it-is-ho_2777803.jpg" --- # I am an alcoholic, as I said. And it is however we call… ![“I am an alcoholic, as I said. And it is however we call it, a disease. That's an explanation, but not an excuse.” quote by Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/malachy-mccourt-10845_alcoholic_i-am-an-alcoholic-as-i-said-and-it-is-ho_2777803.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/malachy-mccourt-10845_alcoholic_i-am-an-alcoholic-as-i-said-and-it-is-ho_2777803.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45e/malachy-mccourt-10845_alcoholic_i-am-an-alcoholic-as-i-said-and-it-is-ho_2777803.jpg) > “I am an alcoholic, as I said. And it is however we call it, a disease. That's an explanation, but not an excuse.” [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Alcoholism is a disease, not an excuse; acknowledgment is the first step. **In simple terms:** Alcoholism is disease, not excuse. Key Takeaway Accept responsibility, seek help. Themes addiction responsibility health Mood honest reflective Type personal educational When to use this quote - rehab programs - support groups - public speaking Key Concepts Disease model personal accountability Questions to Reflect On - What steps lead to recovery? - How to reduce stigma? A Different Perspective Stigma may hinder recovery. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alcoholic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcoholic/) [Alcoholics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcoholics/) [Alcoholism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcoholism/) [Disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disease/) ## Related quotes > [I would never become an alcoholic like my father because my father deserted us. But diseases, there's no let up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/i-would-never-become-an-alcoholic-like-my-father-because-my-father/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [I'm an alcoholic, recovering. And I used to smoke cigarettes, and I was a philanderer and I, wouldn't call myself good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/i-m-an-alcoholic-recovering-and-i-used-to-smoke-cigarettes-and-i-was/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [Once I know I'm an alcoholic then it is my obligation, duty to see what I can do about healing myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/once-i-know-i-m-an-alcoholic-then-it-is-my-obligation-duty-to-see/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [The difference between an explanation and an excuse lies with the one receiving it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-e-modesitt-jr/the-difference-between-an-explanation-and-an-excuse-lies-with-the-one/) [L.E. Modesitt Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-e-modesitt-jr/) > [I suppose the human race is doing the best it can but hells bells thats only an explanation its not an excuse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-marquis/i-suppose-the-human-race-is-doing-the-best-it-can-but-hells-bells/) [Don Marquis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-marquis/) > [“Except in a very few matches, usually with world-class performers, there is a point in every match (and in some cases it's right at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-terry-warner/except-in-a-very-few-matches-usually-with-world-class-performers/) [C. Terry Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-terry-warner/) > [“That was an explanation, not an excuse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jakes/that-was-an-explanation-not-an-excuse/) [John Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jakes/) > [It's strange. You never start out life with the intention of becoming a bankrupt or an alcoholic or a cheat and a thief. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/it-s-strange-you-never-start-out-life-with-the-intention-of-becoming/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [More than most people, the alcoholic leads a double life. He is very much the actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-w/more-than-most-people-the-alcoholic-leads-a-double-life-he-is-very/) [Bill W](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-w/) > [Rumor had it that he was homosexual; in reality, in recent years, he was simply a garden-variety alcoholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-houellebecq/rumor-had-it-that-he-was-homosexual-in-reality-in-recent-years-he-was/) [Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) > [Because I know I'm an addict, and I know I'm an alcoholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/because-i-know-i-m-an-addict-and-i-know-i-m-an-alcoholic/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [I don't like the word 'alcoholic'. I like to think of myself as an advanced drinker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/i-don-t-like-the-word-alcoholic-i-like-to-think-of-myself-as-an/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [There are plenty of alcoholics who can be magnificent when drunk: it does not make them any less alcoholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingrid-bengis/there-are-plenty-of-alcoholics-who-can-be-magnificent-when-drunk-it/) [Ingrid Bengis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingrid-bengis/) > [I started drinking when I was like 15, and by the time I was 19 everybody knew I was an alcoholic. So I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-esparza/i-started-drinking-when-i-was-like-15-and-by-the-time-i-was-19/) [Felipe Esparza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-esparza/) > [If you decide on having an alcoholic at your party, make sure it's a large gathering. This way, until the alcoholic begins removing their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/if-you-decide-on-having-an-alcoholic-at-your-party-make-sure-it-s-a/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) ## More by Malachy McCourt > [I see the way I look upon organized religion, I was a victim of that of mythology, and of cruelty, and all the absurd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/i-see-the-way-i-look-upon-organized-religion-i-was-a-victim-of-that/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [The Supreme Court gives corporations the same rights as a human being. It's absurd. You can't do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/the-supreme-court-gives-corporations-the-same-rights-as-a-human-being/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [We are spectators to violence, and therefore are, how well we don't know and make sure we don't know the difference of real violence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/we-are-spectators-to-violence-and-therefore-are-how-well-we-don-t/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [I would like to do away with all kind of - all weapons. A dream - totally. Including the bow an arrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/i-would-like-to-do-away-with-all-kind-of-all-weapons-a-dream-totally/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [“Kenneth Tynan once said that the only people who can do Russian drama, outside of the Russians themselves, are the Irish. I presume that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/kenneth-tynan-once-said-that-the-only-people-who-can-do-russian-drama/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [Do whatever you want because that's not what you are. That's what you do for the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/do-whatever-you-want-because-that-s-not-what-you-are-that-s-what-you/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [I absolutely love the public transportation system in New York. No matter what, no matter how people complain, it is the best in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/i-absolutely-love-the-public-transportation-system-in-new-york-no/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [When an English man speaks well, for example now, and this is another way of putting us down, they say he's "eloquent" you see.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/when-an-english-man-speaks-well-for-example-now-and-this-is-another/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [Once I know I'm an alcoholic then it is my obligation, duty to see what I can do about healing myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/once-i-know-i-m-an-alcoholic-then-it-is-my-obligation-duty-to-see/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [The alcoholism got me and I ruined my first marriage with drinking and the lying and the deceit and infidelity, and all of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/the-alcoholism-got-me-and-i-ruined-my-first-marriage-with-drinking/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/resentment-is-like-taking-poison-and-waiting-for-the-other-person-to/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [To lose one parent is a tragedy, to lose both is utter carelessness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/to-lose-one-parent-is-a-tragedy-to-lose-both-is-utter-carelessness/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [Organized religions have all the facets of organized crime, except the compassion of organized crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/organized-religions-have-all-the-facets-of-organized-crime-except-the/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [This is the place for me where every single dream I ever had came to fruition and I love it dearly. I love ya,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/this-is-the-place-for-me-where-every-single-dream-i-ever-had-came-to/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [To me a saint is a severely edited sinner. That's what I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/to-me-a-saint-is-a-severely-edited-sinner-that-s-what-i-think/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) [Explore all 63 Malachy McCourt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) ## More Alcoholic quotes > [“I'm an alcoholic, Tara.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaci-burton/i-m-an-alcoholic-tara/) [Jaci Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaci-burton/) > [“Alcoholism is a choice... not a life sentence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-norman/alcoholism-is-a-choice-not-a-life-sentence/) David Norman > [If you decide on having an alcoholic at your party, make sure it's a large gathering. This way, until the alcoholic begins removing their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/if-you-decide-on-having-an-alcoholic-at-your-party-make-sure-it-s-a/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [I started drinking when I was like 15, and by the time I was 19 everybody knew I was an alcoholic. So I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-esparza/i-started-drinking-when-i-was-like-15-and-by-the-time-i-was-19/) [Felipe Esparza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-esparza/) > [Booze is my escape from reality,If your a drinker,You understand,I'm a Alcoholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becka-miller/booze-is-my-escape-from-reality-if-your-a-drinker-you-understand-i-m/) [Becka Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becka-miller/) > [There are plenty of alcoholics who can be magnificent when drunk: it does not make them any less alcoholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingrid-bengis/there-are-plenty-of-alcoholics-who-can-be-magnificent-when-drunk-it/) [Ingrid Bengis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingrid-bengis/) > [“Medical research has revealed that in about one-tenth of the population, the liver processes alcohol differently, releasing a chemical messenger that creates the craving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaylie-jones/medical-research-has-revealed-that-in-about-one-tenth-of-the/) [Kaylie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaylie-jones/) > [“The alcoholic retains the ability to condemn his addiction and advise those not subject to it to avoid succumbing to the liquid poison. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pitigrilli/the-alcoholic-retains-the-ability-to-condemn-his-addiction-and-advise/) [Pitigrilli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pitigrilli/) > [When a woman drinks it's as if an animal were drinking, or a child. Alcoholism is scandalous in a woman, and a female alcoholic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-duras/when-a-woman-drinks-it-s-as-if-an-animal-were-drinking-or-a-child/) [Marguerite Duras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marguerite-duras/) > [In Stratford you either turn into an alcoholic or you better write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-plummer/in-stratford-you-either-turn-into-an-alcoholic-or-you-better-write/) [Christopher Plummer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-plummer/) > [I don't like the word 'alcoholic'. I like to think of myself as an advanced drinker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/i-don-t-like-the-word-alcoholic-i-like-to-think-of-myself-as-an/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [Because I know I'm an addict, and I know I'm an alcoholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/because-i-know-i-m-an-addict-and-i-know-i-m-an-alcoholic/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [Rumor had it that he was homosexual; in reality, in recent years, he was simply a garden-variety alcoholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-houellebecq/rumor-had-it-that-he-was-homosexual-in-reality-in-recent-years-he-was/) [Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) > [More than most people, the alcoholic leads a double life. He is very much the actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-w/more-than-most-people-the-alcoholic-leads-a-double-life-he-is-very/) [Bill W](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-w/) > [“He’s downed four drinks in the short time it took for me to get myself together and find him. Either he’s shaken by something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-ee/he-s-downed-four-drinks-in-the-short-time-it-took-for-me-to-get/) [Susan Ee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-ee/) [Browse all 303 Alcoholic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcoholic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am an alcoholic, as I said. And it is however we call it, a disease. 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