Do you consider alcoholism to be a disease?

Question

Me and my mother are having this debate. She says alcoholism is a disease. I disagree. I think it's an addiction that can cause a disease - such as liver damage, etc. But do not think it's a disease on its own. To me, saying that alcoholism is a disease is like saying an addiction like smoking is a disease. Just trying to get some thoughts on this.

I should also add that my father, who I love to death, is an alcoholic and I am not saying anything bad about people who are alcoholics. I know it's a horrible addiction. I'm really just trying to see what other people think. Thank you!!

Answer 1

I always thought that calling alcoholism a disease was kind of weird too. But if we look at the definition of the word, and its etymology, we see that in fact it is a disease.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language say:

NOUN:

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.

Wikipedia says:

A disease or medical condition is an abnormality of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, distress, or death to the person afflicted or those in contact with the person. Sometimes the term is used broadly to include injuries, disabilities, disorders, syndromes, infections, symptoms, deviant behaviors, and atypical variations of structure and function, while in other contexts these may be considered distinguishable categories. Literally, a disease refers to the invasion of the body by pathogens.

I say:

The way we use the word today often indicates an infection, but if you look at the word, you can see how generally it can be used; dis-ease, or without ease.

Sorry about your Dad, it runs in my family and friends as well.

Answer 2

Yes all forms of addiction are a disease.By this I mean that they are a disease of the mind,they affect the mind and stop the sufferer from being rational.You will find Alcoholics Anonymous are a great source of help as they often have a great support network for the families and loved ones of alcoholics.I know how tough this can be and hope your father sees the light.

Answer 3

Alcoholism is an addiction that ruins your life and the lives of those around you. Yeah, it's a disease.

Answer 4

Calling Alcoholism a disease is just enabling an addict. It's a cop out.

Answer 5

I think it is a condition. I think of it like having weak joints,
or a bad heart, .... things go OK, unless you put stress on
them and then you fall.

That being said, I think that once the addiction is physical,
it is very difficult and dangerous to stop without medical attention. On the other hand, coming out of such an abyss
can really awaken one.

Answer 6

I went to both in and out patient treatment (not for alcoholism) but they taught us that addiction IS a disease.

Answer 7

Yes alcoholism is considered a disease.

Answer 8

i agree its a horrible addiction, but i read in Psych that you have hormones in you brain that make you more likly to have addictions. so i guess its considered a disease too. Sometimes if people have a really bad addiction to things like alcohol, even if they beat that, they just transfer their addictive behavior on to something else (eating, gambling, ect).

Answer 9

Alcohol inhibits disease but is not necessarily a disease by itself.

its an addiction which many people have.

it causes a plethora of health problems

Answer 10

Both psychological and phsyiscal addictions are diseases. Alcoholism consists of both of these.