Do You Believe Alcoholism is a Disease?

by Christine
(Qld, Australia)

Do you think alcoholism is a disease?

I believe it is a disease, but not sure if I was born with it, maybe I was?

Answer

Hi Christine

The medical fraternity do now widely regard alcoholism is a disease - because it meets the necessary criteria to be regarded as one.

My thoughts on the matter is that it really doesn't matter in the bigger scheme of things. Because I do agree you don't choose an addiction to alcohol in the same way you don't choose to contract cancer - and therefore you are powerless to control your addiction.

But the crux of the matter is I believe what you decide to DO about the addiction should you end up with it. In other words, you are entirely responsible for doing what is necessary to successfully overcome the alcoholism, i.e. get treatment and work at your recovery. And that is something that has nothing to do with whether alcoholism is a disease or not.

Some people find it helps them in their recovery to believe that alcoholism is a disease, while others find the opposite. People's opinions and preferences differ. Use whatever works for you.

As to whether you were born with alcoholism - studies now also show that alcoholism is hereditary in that if you have a family history of an addiction to alcohol, you are far more at risk because you are genetically predisposed toward addiction. Whether in fact that is something that would happen to you though also depends on a number of other factors and that's why it's impossible to say for example why certain family members go down the road of addiction while others don't.

So if it's something you are worried about - ideally you should avoid alcohol totally so as to not place yourself at risk at all - but that is obviously a difficult thing to do and something you would have to be comfortable doing for yourself.

Hope that helps.