is alcoholism a disease? is it psychological or physiological?

Answer 1

Good Question!

Alcoholism: A chronic, primary, hereditary disease which progresses from an early, physiological susceptibility into an addiction characterized by tolerance changes, physiological dependence, and loss of control over drinking. Psychological symptoms are secondary to the physiological disease and not relevant to its onset.

Answer 2

Alcoholism is not a simple disease and--yes--it is a disease.

It can be either psychological or physiological. In fact there are probably at least three types of alcoholism and they range from very dangerous physical addictions to psychological dependencies.

In some of the milder forms where it is purely a psychological dependency it might be possible to relieve the dependency and still be able to drink alcohol in moderation, but all alcoholism, regardless of type or cause should be treated by totally withdrawing from the substance.

One should never assume, once it is established that he or she is an alcoholic, that it can ever be safe to drink alcohol again.

Some people might be able to quit on their own, but most will do better with a support group such as alcoholics anonymous or through treatment centers.

So the simple answer to your question is yes, yes and yes.

But every person is different and each case must be treated differently.

Answer 3

Both.

There are three types of alcholics.

The physically addicted. For these people DTs can be a life threatening condition when they quit. Some people are born with genetics that make them suceptable to physiological additction to alchohol that is quite strong.

Others who are not physilogically addicted are very pyschologically addicted. The classic is the "driven to drink" that you see so widely expressed in the 50s culture especially. Drinking troubles away. Buried in the bottle. Booze is self medication and often the only acceptable self medication for many people psychologically addicted.

The third kind is the addictive personality. They are not hooked on booze they are hooked on getting hooked on something. It could be gambling, could be drugs. If an addictive person takes up binge drinking it is quite likely to be one of their many addictions or the addiction of the moment for them. People with addictive personalities will generally either have lots of addictiions or a succession of all consuming addictions.

Just to make things interesting a person with an addictive personality might also self medicate and or be physiologically addicted as well. Any combination of the above 3 can and does happen.

Answer 4

both alcohol is a socially accepted drug which has no place in the human make up ! and there fore physiologically is very bad for the system, and because of it 's side effect drunkiness for instance it it very addictive therefore psychological effects the other effects are well known and the effect it has on peoples lives is enormous ! not all good though !

Answer 5

Personnally i would class it as a bit of both. I have worked with aloholics and do think that it should be classed as an illness as they need a fair amount of help and support plus in some cases drugs. Most of all they need will power - which they find hard to find! I know they can be annoying but i beleive 90% of the time something has drove them into being an alcoholic.

Answer 6

As a recovered alcoholic I can assure you its both. It starts as a psychological need and progresses to a physiological need. It is a terrible illness and I lost my mother , uncle and grandad to it. I do believe it can be hereditary as my family clearly demonstrates.

Answer 7

It is not a disease to start with ,but as time goes on it becomes a habit.
It remains at psychological and mental level ,gradually it becomes phisical too.
All the three W's (wine,women and wealth ,viz W1,W2,W3)) are dangerous if usage exceed the limits.
Damage levels:
W1: Slow and gradual.
W2: Instantaneous
W3:Moderate speed, slow and steady.

Answer 8

There is a certain amount which is both. The more advanced alcoholism is the more the physical is involved, likewise the earlier one starts the more psychologically weaved into their life it will be.

Answer 9

takes the responsiblility away calling it a disease. Its just one school of thought saying this.
Cognitive behaivour therapy is used alot now to treat addictions its has been proven that cocaine adiction take the drug when their self esteem is at its lowest and by changing unhelpful thought patterns
Don,t listen to everthing you hear its does not help saying its a disease people need to be responible fo rhteir actions and denying them does not help hte problem.

Answer 10

Both yes, its like they crave it like a drug but they also need it to feel normal they know is bad for them and i think they can do with out it if their mind is on something else, but once they get a taste thats it the addiction takes hold again. As much as they want to stop, they fear that they cannot function normally without it.