Alcoholism - Disease or Not?

I am unconvinced that alcoholism is a disease. Simply put, over consumption of alcohol can cause disease, since too much of it is poisonous. Yet, too much water causes drowning. Too much vitamin C, as a supplement, can become a pro-oxidant, which produces ferrous metals and induces heart damage. Too little vitamin C, and you have scurvy. The point being, a disease cannot be cured by will power or 12-steps buddy programs. Try that with diabetes, and you'll get laughed at, and rightly so.

Alcoholism is a very strong dependant habit used by people to cope with life's stresses. While cancer or diabetes cannot simply be willed away, alcoholism can, and indeed is, as this is ultimately the only lasting relief from this habit.

Medicating people will only cover the symptoms, but will not stop their dependency. That is their choice - and a disease is not a choice.