list your reasons why YOU think it is.
2006-09-07 06:13:48 · 13 answers · asked by john 3 in Health ➔ Other - Health
The effects of alcohol on the body lead to a variety of different physical and mental problems.
Alcohol is addictive, there is nothing specifically weaker about people that are addicted to alcohol - its questionable whether anyone is not addicted to alcohol once they start consuming it.
You should read Allan Carr
If this wasn't the case it would be easy to say specifically what an alcoholic was and it wouldn't take anything from one drink to 40 years to become an alcoholic. It wouldn't be so subjective. - When i go out for one drink and stay out all night and lose my memory thats just me having fun - I dont have a problem etc.
I could give it up anytime I want.
Alcoholics are just weak willed, there's something wrong with them not me.
Its a good campaign by the drinks industry.
2006-09-07 06:24:10 · answer #1 · answered by Bebe 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think because it's a major health problem, and in that way it's like some diseases -- although I don't see that it's really a disease. It's not contagious, for example, and isn't caused by germs, viruses, toxins, or any other exterior causes. I guess there might be a predisposition toward it because of a body's chemical balance, but I suspect that point is arguable, & that one might as well argue that any compulsive behavior, like gambling, is a disease, too. I would guess that not everyone classifies alcoholism as a disease, but that it's often classified that way because that's considered to be more effective in gaining popular support for efforts to combat it than other options like blaming the alkies.
2006-09-07 13:18:13 · answer #2 · answered by yahoohoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcoholism cannot be cured, only arrested. Treatment is not always successful, and relies on the alcoholic’s ability to control their addiction. I believe there are mental issues that lead one to drink and the long term physical effects are tremendous. Just like lung cancer is a disease, it is usually brought on by your behavior. In a sense alcoholism is like cancer in certain ways. People cannot stop drinking that have developed a habit of doing so.Same for smokers. Which leads to other medical issues.
2006-09-07 13:25:36 · answer #3 · answered by Cindi R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is listed in the DSMV as a disease. This is a book doctors use to classify illnesses. Sometimes it is hard to see it as a disease though because the cure comes from the victim. It is a choice they make that is the cure. I have trouble even saying that the person who has it is a victim, they do have a choice. Victims don't. It is a problem though, my brother is an alcoholic and he doesn't see that he is.
2006-09-07 13:25:10 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it IS a disease. Alcoholics have different brains than non-alcoholics, it's been studied. I don't know how to explain it, other than being married to one and seeing how his mind works for the last 5 years. I have no doubt that it's a disease.
2006-09-07 13:17:44 · answer #5 · answered by bokie318 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
1. a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment.
2. any harmful, depraved, or morbid condition, as of the mind or society
Alcoholism is a disease because:
1. It falls under the above definitions.
2. It has been proven to be genetic.
3. An alcoholic cannot control his/her drinking. An allergic reaction occurs in an alcoholic's body. It is a very morbid condition, often resulting in death, commitment to asylums, etc.
2006-09-07 13:24:12 · answer #6 · answered by cey12000 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In 1956, the American Medical Association (AMA) determined alcoholism to be a disease because it met all 5 AMA criteria necessary to be such: PATTERN OF SYMPTOMS, CHRONIC, PROGRESSIVE, SUBJECT TO RELAPSE, and TREATABLE. The disease of alcoholism can also be FATAL. Alcoholism cannot be cured, only arrested. Treatment is not always successful, and relies on the alcoholic’s ability to control their addiction.
2006-09-08 09:04:09 · answer #7 · answered by TCTrotsOn 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because the brain of an alcoholic responds differently to alcohol.
2006-09-07 13:20:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In your case, alcholism will qualify as 'stupidity'. Calling it a disease would make it sound rather distinguished. Besides, we do not want to dilute the meaning of the word 'disease' too.
P.S: You answered my question couple minutes ago, remember ;)!
2006-09-07 13:35:25 · answer #9 · answered by Triple_Lutze 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A disease is covered under health insurance.
2006-09-07 13:22:27 · answer #10 · answered by justwondering 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋