Best as I understand it, the idea that alcoholism is a "disease" comes from the popular 12-Step methods (such as Alcoholics Anonymous) so lauded for their ability to help sufferers of alcoholism. But also, best as I understand it, 12-Step programs are made up. Support groups with no science back them up and have a ridiculously high failure rates.
So you often get (and I believe this was parodied on South Park once) people living their lives with utter reckless abandon, hurting family members left and right, and blaming their behavior on the horrible "disease" of alcoholism that renders them helpless to change. I've heard people describe their alcoholism as if it's something comparable to cancer or MS, something completely beyond their control for which they must always suffer and for which we ought to feel sorry for.
So I'm curious what you all think about it. Is Alcoholism really a disease?
2007-03-03
09:10:12
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14 answers
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asked by
Mike Fields
2
in
Other - Diseases