What is Alcoholism?

There are many opinions about the question, “What is alcoholism?” in fact there are more than a few controversial ideas on the subject. Some professionals will tell you that alcoholism is a disease while others contend that it is a choice. There is even some research that supports the idea that alcoholism is genetic. Here we will look at many of the different perspectives on what is alcoholism.

Disease

When answering the question, what is alcoholism, some doctors will tell you that it is in fact a disease. The first published theories on alcoholism as a disease were in the late 1700’s early 1800’s. A Scottish physician, Thomas Trotter and an American physician, Benjamin Rush were the first to classify excessive drinking or drunkenness as an addiction or disease.

In 1956, the American Medical Association declared that alcoholism was an illness however; it was still difficult to get third party insurance companies to pay for treatment. In order for the majority of them to pay for treatment, the disorder had to be classified as a disease. Finally the AMA declared that “….drug dependencies, including alcoholism, are diseases and that their treatment is a legitimate part of medical practice” Overall prognosis is that alcoholism is a lifelong disease and in most cases the patient will never be able to drink alcohol in a moderate fashion but can with limit further medical complications by ceasing to drink.

Choice

Critics of the disease theory include sociologists, psychologists and noted philosophers. They not only reject disease as an answer to what is alcoholism but to addictions in general. The thought is that by labeling an addiction as a disease it takes away personal responsibility. In other words, the person who is drinking too much cannot control it because it is a disease outside of their control, thereby shifting control to others.

The problem with the concept of disease and alcoholism is that the abuser has no reason to resist the temptation to drink. It makes addicts in general victims and impedes treatment.

DNA

Another school of thought has brought DNA into the equation as an answer to what is alcoholism. Scientists and researchers believe they have identified an allele that points to a genetic predisposition to alcoholism. It is believed that people who have this A1 Allele are more prone to becoming an alcoholic than other people in the general population. Of course, they do admit that genetic predisposition is not the single cause of alcoholism; there are many other factors that come into play.

Finally

Whether you believe that alcoholism is a result of an uncontrollable disease, personal choice or genetic factors it is safe to say that alcoholism is inability to control or limit alcohol consumption even in the face of negative consequences. A person who will continue to abuse alcohol even though they have had legal, financial or personal problems brought on by the habit is generally considered an alcoholic.

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What Is Alcoholism

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What is Alcoholism?

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