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Alcoholism: Disease or Behavior

Is Alcoholism a disease or a behavior?

  • Total voters
    39
X Factor said:
It's a chemical addiction. I don't really consider that "disease". Where I'm especially skeptical is when every non chemical habit that gets out of control (eating, gambling, shopping, gaming etc.) is, all of a sudden, an addiction and therefor a "disease". Seems like that's away to avoid responsibility.
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i don't believe it matters what you consider it.......doctors consider it a disease.
 
There is an irony to this disease view, I suppose. A non recovering alcoholic could use the disease concept to attempt to gain acceptance of their drinking by pointing out that it is a disease. But this wouldn't work with me, and it shouldn't work with anyone else. If someone was diabetic, and chose not to use their insulin and control their diet, I wouldn't be that sympathetic about the consequences. Recognizing it as a disease gives the individuals the tools to treat it, not an excuse to destroy themselves.
 
liblady said:
i don't believe it matters what you consider it.......doctors consider it a disease.
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Dr. Lynn Appleton says that "Despite all public pronouncements about alcoholism as a disease, medical practice rejects treating it as such. Not only does alcoholism not follow the model of a 'disease,' it is not amenable to standard medical treatment." She says that "Medical doctors' rejection of the disease theory of alcoholism has a strong basis in the biomedical model underpinning most of their training" and that "medical research on alcoholism does not support the disease model." (Lynn M. Appleton. Rethinking medicalization. Alcoholism and anomalies. Chapter in editor Joel Best's Images of Issues. Typifying Contemporary Social Problems. NY: Aldine De Gruyter, 1995, page 65 and page 69. 2nd edition
 
TheGirlNextDoor said:
Are smokers predisposed to have a 'disease' as well? How about heroine addicts?

If my younger brother is genetically predisposed to becoming an alcoholic - what happened to my sister and I? Why can we drink in moderation and he cannot? All three of us started underage drinking, difference is, her and I did it socially and minimally. My brother chose to drink his 'problems' away. I have a very hard time understanding it to be a disease that is somehow out of someone's control, when there are others who may come from the same genetic makeup and never have a problem with it.

I'm still curious as to what other addictions are considered 'diseases'? I am positive that once a person is an addict they will always be an addict - whether that is to cigarettes, alcohol or hard drugs... but how many of these things are also labeled a disease and if that's the case - why won't health insurance help pay for treatment of these diseases?
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for the same reason that breast cancer history in a family increases your chances of breast cancer, alcholism in a family increases your chances of becoming an alcoholic. that doesn't mean you will get breast cancer, or be an alcoholic. and btw, insurance does pay for treatment for alcoholism, as for any disease. just depends upon the carrier.
 
What is the rational thing to do when you discover you have a disease?

Get help to treat it!
 
Guy Incognito said:
Dr. Lynn Appleton says that "Despite all public pronouncements about alcoholism as a disease, medical practice rejects treating it as such. Not only does alcoholism not follow the model of a 'disease,' it is not amenable to standard medical treatment." She says that "Medical doctors' rejection of the disease theory of alcoholism has a strong basis in the biomedical model underpinning most of their training" and that "medical research on alcoholism does not support the disease model." (Lynn M. Appleton. Rethinking medicalization. Alcoholism and anomalies. Chapter in editor Joel Best's Images of Issues. Typifying Contemporary Social Problems. NY: Aldine De Gruyter, 1995, page 65 and page 69. 2nd edition
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Hogwash.
But I have to go to work, so I don't have time to destroy this. I hope CC does.
 
Dezaad said:
Hogwash.
But I have to go to work, so I don't have time to destroy this. I hope CC does.
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Sure thing. I can't wait to hear your professional medical opinion, doctor.
 
I grew up in a house that I don't remember alcohol ever being in and my parents didn't drink. However my Grandpa was an alcoholic, I also have aunts who are (sober now)
a couple uncles and my brother is one. My sister is not, but then I'm not sure she's ever been drunk in her life. I remember she said she drank some beer at a party in HS. She doesn't drink at all. Probably a good thing.
 
Guy Incognito said:
Sure thing. I can't wait to hear your professional medical opinion, doctor.
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a quote from wiki doesn't change the fact that mainstream medicine considers alcoholism a disease.
 
CaptainCourtesy said:
Understanding that alcoholism is a disease does not create a victim.
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Doesn't it though? Aren't folks who have actual diseases often called victims of their disease? AIDS victims, Cancer victims, etc. Who doesn't feel bad for someone who has a bad disease? By labeling addiction a disease, it does suggest a sort of innocent victim. Haven't you heard people try to excuse bad things they do because they were drunk, or high? What other "disease" negatively impacts others who don't even have it, the way addiction does? And now, everything that a person can do in excess is considered an addiction because people want the excuse of it being a disease. I acknowledge that alcohol is a chemical dependency, as are drugs, and that's hard to shake. Mad props do those who do, but your actions are yours alone, drunk, sober or whatever.

/ rant

liblady said:
i don't believe it matters what you consider it.......doctors consider it a disease.
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I doubt every doctor agrees, besides the practice of medicine is constantly changing. This may be the accepted model right now, but then, so was putting leeches on people back in the day.
 
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liblady said:
a quote from wiki doesn't change the fact that mainstream medicine considers alcoholism a disease.
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I'd like to see your evidence to contradict Dr. Appleton, not a fallacious argument, if you please.
 
X Factor said:
Doesn't it though? Aren't folks who have actual diseases often called victims of their disease? AIDS victims, Cancer victims, etc. Who doesn't feel bad for someone who has a bad disease? By labeling addiction a disease, it does suggest a sort of innocent victim. Haven't you heard people try to excuse bad things they do because they were drunk, or high? What other "disease" negatively impacts others who don't even have it, the way addiction does? And now, everything that a person can do in excess is considered an addiction because people want the excuse of it being a disease. I acknowledge that alcohol is a chemical dependency, as are drugs, and that's hard to shake. Mad props do those who do, but your actions are yours alone, drunk, sober or whatever.

/ rant



I doubt every doctor agrees, besides the practice of medicine is constantly changing. This may be the accepted model right now, but then, so was putting leeches on people back in the day.
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actually, leeches are still quite useful.
 
jamesrage said:
-- When I see a surge of people in Ethiopia becoming obeast or a surge of alcoholics in hard core muslims countries then I might believe that those things are diseases.
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I've seen it, I've drunk maize beer, gin, burukutu, sorghum beer and all sorts of other alcoholic drinks with muslims in muslim countries.

Palm juice starts off as a morning fruit type drink in some tropical countries but by 4 in the afternoon it's quite alcoholic and dangerous. You better start believing alcoholism is the latter stage of a disease that started off as behaviour.
 
Infinite Chaos said:
I've seen it, I've drunk maize beer, gin, burukutu, sorghum beer and all sorts of other alcoholic drinks with muslims in muslim countries.

Palm juice starts off as a morning fruit type drink in some tropical countries but by 4 in the afternoon it's quite alcoholic and dangerous. You better start believing alcoholism is the latter stage of a disease that started off as behaviour.
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Which is why they beat drunks with sticks in afghanistan. As it should be :D
 
TheGirlNextDoor said:
Are smokers predisposed to have a 'disease' as well? How about heroine addicts?
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Since these are both addictions and follow the same mechanisms, yes.

If my younger brother is genetically predisposed to becoming an alcoholic - what happened to my sister and I? Why can we drink in moderation and he cannot? All three of us started underage drinking, difference is, her and I did it socially and minimally. My brother chose to drink his 'problems' away. I have a very hard time understanding it to be a disease that is somehow out of someone's control, when there are others who may come from the same genetic makeup and never have a problem with it.
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Do all siblings have the same eye color? Hair color? Other identical genetics? If one sibling is born with a genetic disease, do ALL of them have it? See what I'm getting at?

I'm still curious as to what other addictions are considered 'diseases'? I am positive that once a person is an addict they will always be an addict - whether that is to cigarettes, alcohol or hard drugs... but how many of these things are also labeled a disease and if that's the case - why won't health insurance help pay for treatment of these diseases?
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Health insurance does pay for the treatment of these diseases. Addiction treatment is usually better reimbursed then standard mental health treatment.
 
digsbe said:
Alcoholism is a behavior that leads to disease. It may be classified as a mental disease, but alcoholism isn't a physical disease. There may be a brain issue where their chemicals may make them have a more addictive personality, but it still isn't a physical disease.
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Alcoholism is a disease that may or may not be exhibited in behavioral ways. A mental disorder is no different from a physical disorder.
 
Guy Incognito said:
Dr. Lynn Appleton says that "Despite all public pronouncements about alcoholism as a disease, medical practice rejects treating it as such. Not only does alcoholism not follow the model of a 'disease,' it is not amenable to standard medical treatment." She says that "Medical doctors' rejection of the disease theory of alcoholism has a strong basis in the biomedical model underpinning most of their training" and that "medical research on alcoholism does not support the disease model." (Lynn M. Appleton. Rethinking medicalization. Alcoholism and anomalies. Chapter in editor Joel Best's Images of Issues. Typifying Contemporary Social Problems. NY: Aldine De Gruyter, 1995, page 65 and page 69. 2nd edition
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Wrong. The AMA has accepted the dual classification of alcoholism as being both a psychiatric and medical condition since 1991 and identified it as an illness since 1956. Now, if you want to cherry-pick quotes from Wikipedia... which you did not cite, btw, that's fine. But this is a well accepted standard with the AMA.
 
jamesrage said:
Calling it a disease implies that you just minding your own business and someone sneezed on you, you accidentally stepped on a rusty nail, something in the air or some other thing outside of your control and suddenly you became addicted to booze, became fat or a toothpick. Dumb-asses call these things diseases became it makes them look like victims instead of perpetrators. When I see a surge of people in Ethiopia becoming obeast or a surge of alcoholics in hard core muslims countries then I might believe that those things are diseases.
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A disease is defined as;
a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms.

Alcoholism certainly fits that definition. Dumbasses seem to know more than you give them credit for.
 
CaptainCourtesy said:
Alcoholism is a disease that may or may not be exhibited in behavioral ways. A mental disorder is no different from a physical disorder.
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I disagree. Mental disorders are different from physical disorders. Physical disorders can be treated physically. Disorders like this include asthma, cancer, chemically induced depression, and other things for which physical evidence and treatment may exist. Mental disorders/diseases are all part of the patient's psyche and are psychologically driven/caused. Alcoholism is typically an addiction to alcohol. It isn't a physical disease. It is a behavior for an individual to pick up a bottle of alcohol and ingest it. It would be a disease if the body somehow manufactured excess ethanol. I've had several family members die alcoholics. I've had some recover from alcohol. The patient may be addicted to alcohol, but nothing is forcing them to drink and they do not have a physical disease. I do believe mental disorders and physical disorders are very different.
 
I'm no expert on the scientific or medical research, but I'll share my perspective.

I think there are definately genetic or biological factors that can pre-dispose one towards alcoholism. I believe I have somewhat of an addictive personality. But there are other factors in play - psychological, emotional, and even personal will power. I'll use myself as an example. As i said before, I think I have somewhat of an addictive personality. I have to be pretty disciplined towards certain things to make sure they don't become something I can't control. And I have great incentive to do so. I have a wonderful wife, a loving family, great friends. All things I know an out of control addiction would put at risk. Now if I didn't have those supports, I could easily see myself letting the rush of alcohol or gambling smooth over the loneliness.

But I choose to be disciplined. There is an element of personal choice and responsibility. I recognize how I'm wired and make choices that minimize the risk of addiction.

My grandfather is an interesting example as well. For years he was a functional alcoholic. He had a good job, was pretty good father and husband, but he drank a lot. Then he developed health problems and had to retire early, while my grandmother kept working. With nothing to do and no one around during the day, his alcoholism quickly grew much worse. His health grew worse. He even had a small heart attack in a bar without knowing it until he went to the doctor a few days later. The doctor told him flat out if he didn't stop drinking, he'd kill himself. For my grandfather, that blunt warning was the wake up call he needed. Him and my grandmother packed up their things, sold their house and moved down to Alabama (where they were originally from) and bought a house in a dry county where he wouldn't be around bars or liquor stores or his old buddies. From the day they moved down there till the day he died, my grandfather only had one slip. One time while back up north to visit us, he ran into an old friend who dragged him into a bar and you can guess how the night ended.

I remember my grandfather talking about his struggle with alcohol once. We were down in Alabama visiting and another relative was over talking to my dad. Somehow the relative started talking about beer and then quickly apologized to my grandfather for mentioning it. My grandfather said it was OK. He said something like, "I could watch you sitting right there drink a beer and I wouldn't want one, but if I picked up a can and started drinking it, I wouldn't stop until they were all gone."
 
digsbe said:
I disagree. Mental disorders are different from physical disorders. Physical disorders can be treated physically. Disorders like this include asthma, cancer, chemically induced depression, and other things for which physical evidence and treatment may exist. Mental disorders/diseases are all part of the patient's psyche and are psychologically driven/caused. Alcoholism is typically an addiction to alcohol. It isn't a physical disease. It is a behavior for an individual to pick up a bottle of alcohol and ingest it. It would be a disease if the body somehow manufactured excess ethanol. I've had several family members die alcoholics. I've had some recover from alcohol. The patient may be addicted to alcohol, but nothing is forcing them to drink and they do not have a physical disease. I do believe mental disorders and physical disorders are very different.
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But some addictions can be changed, helped, or even cured with drugs and others when trauma happens to a certain part of the head. This means that it is a physical misfiring or defect in brain circuitry that is likely to cause people to be alcoholics.

HBO: Addiction: Treatment: Which Treatment Should I Pursue?: Prescribed Medications Can Help People Recover from Addiction
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/26/health/26iht-health.4354879.html
Insular cortex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
roguenuke said:
But some addictions can be changed, helped, or even cured with drugs and others when trauma happens to a certain part of the head. This means that it is a physical misfiring or defect in brain circuitry that is likely to cause people to be alcoholics.

HBO: Addiction: Treatment: Which Treatment Should I Pursue?: Prescribed Medications Can Help People Recover from Addiction
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/26/health/26iht-health.4354879.html
Insular cortex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Drugs may help curb addictive behavior. However many individuals instead get addicted to those drugs. I specifically stated that depression caused by chemical imbalances in the brain is a physical disease. However, alcoholism is still a behavior is still a behavior. Nothing is forcing their brain to drink or the individual to chose that. They may have an addictive personality, but addiction can be overcome. Nothing in an alcoholics brain chemistry forces them to drink. They may be predisposed to addictions, but nothing is forcing them to be addicted or partake in addictive behavior.
 
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