Why do they call Alcoholism a disease?

Question

So if Alcohol is a disease then smoking is too?

Good on you "Willbill" keep it up.

Sorry I meant "Wildbill"

Answer 1

Alcoholism is now accepted as a disease. It is a chronic and often progressive disease. Like many diseases, it has symptoms that include a strong need to drink despite negative consequences, such as serious job or health problems. Like many diseases, it has a generally predictable course and is influenced by both genetic (inherited) and environmental factors.

Answer 2

you know i dont agree with the label disease either but my best guess on that would be that people who have drinking issues or drug issues or whatever along those lines actually have other underlying disorders such as depression and it seems disease is the strongest word they could come up with to describe the "problem" of alcoholism or maybe due to the fact that drug and alcohol usage tends to run in the family and certain people have a "genetic weakness" for this behavior they call it a disease

Answer 3

Because it fits the description of a disease.
There are symptoms and outcomes of alcohol abuse. Symptoms would be poor eating habits, depression, and in some cases delirium tremors,
where the person has uncontrollable shaking. Then there are specific body conditions such as pancreatic or serous of the liver.

Answer 4

This are the definitions of disease

1 obsolete : TROUBLE
2 : a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms : SICKNESS, MALADY
3 : a harmful development (as in a social institution)

as you can see alcoholism is befitting of the term.

Answer 5

Yes I find it hard to understand this as this is a self inflicted problem and so is smoking and gambling. I always thought a disease was inborn or physical.

Answer 6

well its like this alcoholic have a chemical imbalance in their brain that proses alcohol differently than say a normal drinker they become sick without it at regular intake the brain will fight this by firing off brain receptors called thq's these are the same receptors that all addict act on and they can't be controlled leading to brain damage

Answer 7

All addictions whether it be alcohol, pills and the many other dangerous ones are a disease.

Answer 8

I really have no idea.But probally because some people are addicted to it and can get sick from having to much alcohol

Answer 9

Because there is genetic predisposition in some people and races to alcoholism...

Answer 10

Generally because it is *thought to be* hereditary.
I don't necessarily agree, as it is partially a psychological thing as well as a physical dependence.