Elvin Morton Jellinek (1890-1963). was an important figure in the research of alcohol and addiction in the post-prohibition era. Known as “Bunky” by his close friends, Mr. Jellinek is probably best known as the modern father of the disease concept of alcoholism. His work is still well known and respected with the Jellinek Memorial Fund Award being rewarded yearly to a scientist who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the alcohol/alcoholism field.
Dr. Jellinek published many monumental scientific articles and books on addiction. One of his most important published books is Disease Concept of Alcoholism (Hillhouse Press, New Haven, Conn., 1960).
The Jellinek Memorial Fund Award
Jellinek was one of the earliest pioneers of the disease model of addiction. His work was monumental at the time and helped to change the way that addiction and recovery are viewed and treated today. Jellinek noticed patterns in the progressive trajectory of addiction and came up with three distinct phases of addiction. They are crucial, chronic and rehabilitative stages of addiction. Other charts added or changed phases in accordance with the publishers’ beliefs but all. His work showed how the disease progressed with time.
It took Jellinek 12 years to fully research and develop his work and come up with the Jellinek Curve. Through his work, treatment centers, providers and programs worldwide were given an outline of the addicts decline.
The Jellinek Curve is a useful tool to show the universal destructive patterns of addiction so we can better understand our addictions and turn our life towards recovery. The curve shows how addiction is progressive.
The Jellinek Curve is not meant to be a diagnostic tool, but rather an educational and motivational one. It reminds us of where we have been and where we are going.
The Jellinek Curve shows the common way addictions progresses. It was no single thing that made one an addict but was many stages and symptoms. The same is true with recovery. This is true of all addictions whether gambling, porn, drugs or alcohol. The addiction starts as habit and then progresses into a destructive patterns that can finally hit bottom and start and upwards path towards recovery and sobriety.
One can not think of the Jellinek Curve without recognizing the equally important work and monumental work of the British psychiatrist Max Glatt. Jellinek actually only came up with half of the curve even though it has his name. Jellinek’s work recognized the universal trajectory and patterns in the downhill portion of The Curve which outlined the stages of addiction. Glatt modified the Jellinek Curve by including the upper arc of the curve and outlining rehabilitation stage of addiction. Glatt recognized that people in recovery also have universal patterns. One can not understand addiction if there were no understanding of recovery as well.
Glatt’s work gave us a more complete understanding of addiction and recovery that allows us to make full use of the Jellinek Curve while seeking recovery from our addictive behaviors.
A person needs to understand how their addiction developed in the first place, what steps they can take to recover, and how they can maintain sobriety and avoid relapse before one can really be successful with treatment process.
