Do you feel alcoholism is a disease? How do you define a disease?

Answer 1

Some people feel it is. I think it is a disorder. There is a genetic link to depression, mental illness, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which are often associated with alcoholism and drug abuse.

Of course, there are more factors involved, but some people have a higher tendency to develop it.

P.S. Summer Breeze, while I don't disagree that free will DOES play a role in alcoholism, you still cannot deny the genetic link to these conditions. For the record, cancer and Type 2 diabetes USUALLY CAN be prevented with a healthy lifestyle, but I doubt you'd find any doctor who would say that they're not diseases. Studies have also linked Schizophrenia to addiction. More than 80% of these people smoke, compared to 20% of the "normal" population. There are medical studies on this, look it up.

Of course people sill need to make smart choices and NOT turn to a bottle for help, but the point is that some are still more prone to it, whether you like it or not.

Answer 2

No. Alcoholism is different than a disease. Alcoholism is self-inflicted by one's free will and choice to drink just as smoking is also self-inflicted, which doesn't make it a disease. A disease is something that is NOT self-inflicted like cancer, leukemia, Lyme disease, etc. That's the real definition of a disease: an illness that a person gets that is not of their own fault (though lung cancer is self-inflicted because of smoking, but that would be the only acception, in my view). Calling alcoholism a disease is just an excuse that drinkers use to make it seem like they're not at fault for getting liver disease, weight gain, etc. It's a person's choice. No one has to drink just as no one needs to smoke, but it is a person's free will and choice to do such things to themselves - it's NOT a disease. To say it is is merely a 'cop out'.

Answer 3

well, considering alcoholism begins with depression, yes. it is a disease. the problem is, they havent found what actually causes depression (so they say) but it could be an unknown viral or bacterial infection causing the depression.

mental diseases are that something is passing the blood brain barrier that causes the chemicals in the brain to misfire. of course, trauma too can cause depression as well, so it isn't always soley based on viral or bacterial diseases.....nonetheless, alcoholism starts with depression.

Answer 4

Yes it is a mental disease. I have been drinking for 34 years and whilst I would never call myself an alcoholic I know a drunk when I see one.

Answer 5

Jesus cures alcoholism drink his wine.

Answer 6

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm

Answer 7

opecision in my opion?