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The Alcoholism Disease Concept - Is Alcoholism Really a Disease?

There are a lot of contrasting opinions out there for the alcoholism disease concept. Some say alcoholism shows all the same characteristics as a disease and therefore alcoholics cannot be blamed for their addiction because it’s something they have no control over, much like you have no control over contracting cancer.

Others feel that this is an easy way out, that it allows addicts to absolve their responsibility from their addictive behaviours, that addiction is more a state of mind than anything else and that it’s a matter of will in choosing to overcome an addiction.

Alcoholism as a Disease ... Can it be Classified as One?

There are four words that the medical profession use to characterise a disease or illness ...

  • Primary

  • Progressive

  • Chronic

  • Fatal

Now alcoholism for those that support this view, see it as likewise in that alcoholism can also be regarded as primary, progressive, chronic and fatal.

What Do You Think? Is Alcoholism a Disease? Share Your Opinion Here

Is it primary? Well, alcoholism is a describable and identifiable condition that causes other physical problems like liver damage and malnutrition so it can be regarded as an illness in it’s own right, therefore making it primary.

As for it being progressive ... alcoholism definitely tends to get worse over time so there can be no arguments about that one. It is also something that stays in the body, whether or not a triggering substance has activated it, whether it be alcohol or another drug.

An alcoholic who has been clean for a couple of years and relapses again will experience drinking like he hasn’t had that break for two years. In other words, your body responds as if you've continued using all that time even though there was a break for two years.

In the case of drug addicts who have stopped and come back to using after a period of time often end up overdosing because it feels like they haven’t been away, but their body actually can’t handle the doses they’re putting in anymore.

Alcoholism is also unquestionably chronic because it is a condition that gets worse over time and is long-lasting or recurrent. Many expers say it can be arrested - but never cured.

And as for it being fatal, most definitely. We all know that alcoholism kills - and that many people die from this terrible illness every day.

So there we have it, is alcoholism a disease? It certainly seems to meet the criteria for a disease or illness and is increasingly being recognised as such. But I'd like you go read the drug addiction disease page as well, where I'll discuss the argument for those of you that think alcoholism or drug addiction is just a state of mind or sign of weakness - and I'll tell you what I think about all this as well.

You should then also take a look at how alcoholism progresses through the alcoholism stages and the hereditary and genetic impact on addiction via the alcoholism hereditary and alcoholism genetics association.

The Alcoholism Disease Concept - Fact or Fiction?

What do you think? Is addiction or alcoholism a disease - or just an excuse for alcoholics and drug addicts to justify their using? Share your opinion ...

Enter the Title of Your Opinion - for example "Alcoholism a Disease? No Way!"

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Read What Other People Have Said About The "Alcoholism Disease" Concept

Click on the links below to see what other visitors to this page have said about whether they think Addiction and Alcoholism is a Disease or not ...

Alcoholism Is a Disease: As An Alcoholic Your Body Responds Differently to Alcohol Compared to Others  starstarstarstarstar
I can, of course, only talk about my own experiences in this matter. I haven't consumed any alcohol now for 5 years and I think I am better for it.

I ...

I Would Not Call It a Disease but it Can Destroy the Person and Family   starstarstarstarstar
I could argue the fact that alcoholism does not meet the criteria of being a disease because we cannot find the cause, directly, or even know if there ...

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Almost 10 years ago, after my son was kidnapped, I became a meth addict, which was an addiction. I chose to use, and I chose to fight it which was the ...

Alcoholism is NOT a Disease In and of Itself.  starstarstarstarstar
While I would say no different than smoking, over eating, drugs or gambling, alcoholism is an addiction. Addiction can be, I would say, classified as ...

Alcoholism is a Weakness - Not a Disease  starstarstarstarstar
Alcoholism as well as addiction to anything is a weakness, not a disease.

Everyone I've met throughout my entire 56 years on this planet that have ...

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Alcoholism - Disease or Not?  starstarstarstarstar
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 ...

Alcoholism a Disease? No Way  starstarstarstarstar
If you know you are predisposed to alcoholism, by gender, genetics or whatever, you CAN do something about it. I was a granddaughter, daughter and niece ...

Alcoholism as a Disease? Not Sure. The Key word is it's Progressive  starstarstarstarstar
I am a recovering alcoholic. I have a problem with the disease concept as I think it is our AMA that likes to label any and everything a disease so it ...

Alcoholism is DEFINITELY a disease  starstarstarstarstar
Modern science has made this virtually indisputable. It is most certainly classified as a disease of the brain. I personally believe that AA and NA have ...

I Feel that Alcoholism is Less of a Disease Because...  starstarstarstarstar
I feel that alcoholism is less of a "disease" because it's brought on by the wilful action of the alcoholic. I believe it's root is in the evil of the ...

Alcoholism is a Disease - Yes  starstarstarstarstar
I am a recovering alcoholic, sober 5 years. It has been said that alcohol was my solution not my problem ... I identify with that. I was an irritable ...

Alcoholism is not a Disease  starstarstarstarstar
People go to A.A. and claim remission of their Alcoholism.

Since when can one decide that they will put any Disease into remission.

Several of ...

Addiction Is Nothing More Than A Choice For People Who Are Weak  starstarstarstarstar
I wanna give my view on these clever sounding theories the so called ‘experts’ have about addiction like the idea that it’s a disease and people are powerless ...

Alcoholism Is No Disease   starstarstarstar
Alcoholism is certainly no disease. How can you compare it to things like cancer - over which people have absolutely no control - to drinking alcohol or ...

Alcoholism is a disease!!!!  starstarstarstar
I strongly believe that it is a disease. After reading that little tid bit at the top of this page how can you deny it? I can't. I am an alcoholic and ...

Alcoholism is Not a Disease  starstarstar
Alcoholism is not a disease. It is a choice. It is only called a disease by people who now say this choice is out of their control.

But it once ...

Alcoholism IS a Disease, Sickness, Malady. It Is An Impairment of Vital Functioning.  Not rated yet
If addressed in time, an alcoholic can live in remission but never recovery. Unlike many diseases, alcoholism is incurable. Anyone who has been around ...

Alcoholism IS a Disease ... Most Definately!  Not rated yet
My story ... alcohol is only a symptom of this disease and unless the alcoholic gets into recovery, the disease progresses and the individual is just a ...

Alcoholism Is Not a Cause ... It's an Effect Therefore NOT a Disease  Not rated yet
According to AA, Alcoholism is a result of psychological issues, such as fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, etc. This makes it a secondary. You cannot ...

Yes I Absolutely Feel that Alcoholism is a Disease!!!  Not rated yet
I feel that every addiction is a disease. I have fought with obesity all my life. This is a disease and very little people will recognize this. I feel ...


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