Why Is Alcoholism Considered a Disease?
Question by Cynthesizer: Why is alcoholism considered a disease?
Doesn’t it still require some “choice” to become an alcoholic? People who are genetically predicted to become alcoholics (such as myself) don’t always become alcoholics. What makes us different from those who do? Choice.
I’m not saying it’s easy or something to take lightly. I don’t when people just tell alcoholics to stop drinking because I know it doesn’t work like that. But just becomes it’s hard to overcome doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It doesn’t take therapy and willpower to overcome other diseases. Most aren’t self inflicted, at least to the extent that alcoholism is.
I found this quote identifying it as a disease: “In 1956, the American Medical Association officially said alcoholism met three standard criteria for being declared a disease. First, it had an identifiable set of symptoms. Second, it followed a predictable and malignant progression if not treated, and third, it did respond to treatment.” But this seems very vague and I bet a lot of addictions/disorders could fit this descriptions yet aren’t labeled a disease.
(I wasn’t even sure if I should put this under Diseases or Psychology)
Best answer:
Answer by Geo Carman
Interesting question. I’m not sure about being genetically predicted to become an alcoholic, because my understanding is that those of us who are alcoholics use alcohol initially as a means to deal with an emotional issue; bereavement, illness, financial, pressure of all sorts. It’s the way we deal with these things is hereditary, not the taking alcohol.
After a period of years of heavy drinking there is a chemical change in the body, and then it’s no more a question of “choice”. it’s a disease from that point.
The doctor who treated George Best said later that the only choice an alcoholic has is not to take the first drink. I can identify 100% with that because I got to the stage in my late 20’s of not being able to stop at one drink, and that’s when i became alcoholic. It took another 10 years for me to admit it.
This is all my true experience and I have written the story if you’d like to take a look. I’ve now been dry for 13 years.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Rehab.
More Alcohol Addiction Treatment Information…