Evidence that alcoholism is a disease?

Question

Is alcoholism accepted by the American Medical Association as a disease?

Answer 1

there is some evidence that alcohol abuse may be inherited, though I don't know if it's by genetic factors or because of the environment.

Answer 2

I don't actually believe all this, but I wrote a paper on it last year:

The disease model of addiction was initially utilized in the late 1930s with the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). This organization posited that alcoholics were unable to control their drinking and that they should be treated with the same respect and care as any other patient with a somatic illness. E.M. Jellinek was one of the first researchers to describe alcoholism as a disease. His papers in 1946, 1952, and 1960 described that people who were addicted to drugs and alcohol were powerless and had no control over continued and further abuse. The World Health Organization followed suit in 1951 and the American Medical Association began to classify alcoholism as a disease in 1956. The disease model claims that addicts are born with an abnormality that predisposes them to become addicted. Jellinek wrote that certain people are unable to control their addictions due to a brain abnormality that affects their conscious abilities to make decisions and judgments. There is also some mixed research that may suggest that alcoholism and addiction are genetic or inherited. When a person first drinks or uses drugs, this predisposition is triggered and cannot be unarmed. These individuals cannot control the biological predisposition or trigger activation. While they chose to initially use a substance, they likely did not know they were at risk for an addiction. Much like many other illnesses, they did not directly cause, nor can they control their future use or addiction.

Notice I concluded the paper with:
The disease model states that drug and alcohol addiction is uncontrollable. This model claims that addicts cannot be held responsible for their addictions due to genetic or other biological reasons. While there is some evidence that addiction is genetic, most research shows that many addicts do not have addicted parents. Further, not all children of addicts develop drug and alcohol dependence. The disease model is a theory to explain morally inappropriate behavior. Since responsibility is removed from the patient in this model, they cannot be held accountable for their drug usage or dependence. If they are unable to achieve remission, they are not held responsible. Additionally, the research does not appear to support the disease model. Less than 50% of addicts involved in 12-step programs are able to maintain abstinence. If a member of AA or NA relapses, they can explain that due to the disease, they were not consciously aware of their cravings or use.

Answer 3

Yes, Alcoholism is considered a disease . It is a form of addiction to a drug..... alcohol. You should see end stages of alcoholics... they have the shakes,seizures almost like epileptic seizures. They can also go into coma and die. A lot of school of thoughts considers alcoholism as a genetic problem. Like LIza
Minnelli with a Z from Judy Garland. i think environmental factors play a lot. Alcoholism does destroy some brain cells esp the frontal lobe the capacity to reason and memory retention.

Answer 4

Whether it is or not, alcoholism is not a disease.....it only has been classed as a disease because people do not know when to quit and use this defense to justify themselves!

Answer 5

dis·ease ( P ) Pronunciation Key (d-zz)
n.
1.A pathological condition of a part, organ, or system of an organism resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.

2.A condition or tendency, as of society, regarded as abnormal and harmful.

3.Obsolete. Lack of ease; trouble.

Do you for a fact what does cause alcoholism, wither it be environmental, genetic, or even by life's choice itself? Go to an AA meeting for your answer, you'll understand why.

Answer 6

Maybe Alcoholismn should be considered more of an addiction & the consiquence of drinking may lead to Liver Desease.

Answer 7

According to the DSM IV, yes it is.

Answer 8

non cause it isn´t