Alcoholism as a Disease Concept
Alcoholism as a Disease Concept
Alcoholism as a disease is pretty standard as a concept. However, it gets tricky to understand especially when the most common treatments for alcoholism take a more sociological approach. Also there just seem to be so many factors contributing sometimes I am completely ready to say of course it is a disease and other times I am like what does that even mean.
This thread is not to spark a debate on the subject. I don't think that is a fruitful discussion. But I just read one of the most fleshed out discussions of alcoholism as a disease concept and wanted to share if it is of interest to anyone:
It is in the beginning of (intro and first chapter...I haven't read farther so I am sure there is even more)
The Natural History of Alcoholism Revisted by George Vaillant, MD
The natural history of alcoholism ... - Google Books
It draws a parallel with heart disease that really helped me understand it better. I don't know just throwing it out there for those that may be interested
This thread is not to spark a debate on the subject. I don't think that is a fruitful discussion. But I just read one of the most fleshed out discussions of alcoholism as a disease concept and wanted to share if it is of interest to anyone:
It is in the beginning of (intro and first chapter...I haven't read farther so I am sure there is even more)
The Natural History of Alcoholism Revisted by George Vaillant, MD
The natural history of alcoholism ... - Google Books
It draws a parallel with heart disease that really helped me understand it better. I don't know just throwing it out there for those that may be interested
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The Natural History of Alcoholism Revisited - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
I believe his view on whether alcoholism is a disease or not is anything but controversial as he maintains that alcoholism is both a disease and a behaviour disorder!!!
Well ................................... I was able to accept the 'disease' concept when I got sober as AA was the only game in town. I did not look at my alcoholism as an excuse, rather as a medical condition that could be controlled, if I were willing to do certain things. Just like my Grandparents and fiends I knew that had Diabetes had to do to keep their diabetes in remission.
As I stayed sober over the years I came to understand that some did not agree on the 'disease concept. I didn't really care, I knew I had this affliction. I knew I had to find and use tools to HELP MYSELF. My alcoholism is STILL in remission.
Oh and Diabetes, just like alcoholism, can be kept in check, if one is diligent, by diet and exercise (tools), and no medication.
Maybe, that is why, when those who speak of alcoholism as a disease seem to compare it to Diabetes? I don't know for sure, but seems logical to me.
I now have Diabetes and once again there are certain things I HAVE to do, or MUST do to keep it in remission.
Rather than all these "Doctors" writing about it, I would like to see them get into the research lab, as my nephew is doing, and try to find the cause and cure.
J M H O
Love and hugs,
As I stayed sober over the years I came to understand that some did not agree on the 'disease concept. I didn't really care, I knew I had this affliction. I knew I had to find and use tools to HELP MYSELF. My alcoholism is STILL in remission.
Oh and Diabetes, just like alcoholism, can be kept in check, if one is diligent, by diet and exercise (tools), and no medication.
Maybe, that is why, when those who speak of alcoholism as a disease seem to compare it to Diabetes? I don't know for sure, but seems logical to me.
I now have Diabetes and once again there are certain things I HAVE to do, or MUST do to keep it in remission.
Rather than all these "Doctors" writing about it, I would like to see them get into the research lab, as my nephew is doing, and try to find the cause and cure.
J M H O
Love and hugs,
Regardless, it is a fatal disease that, unless arrested and treated, will lead to death. Mental insanity is guaranteed to accompany spiritual decay if this process of self destruction continues. The physical and emotional damage as a result of prolonged drinking cannot be healed unless the person first stops drinking.
Differing viewpoints are very helpful and i thank you for posting this information.
My hope is that this does not give the alcoholic another excuse not to do the work
necessary to recover through the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of A.A.
Differing viewpoints are very helpful and i thank you for posting this information.
My hope is that this does not give the alcoholic another excuse not to do the work
necessary to recover through the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of A.A.
What Makes Us Happy? - The Atlantic (June 2009)
A fair number of them have suffered from alcohol abuse issues. This gives him a unique position for studying alcoholism. I am not saying that everything he says is completely correct but he deserves more than a fair shake.
I put the link to this book because for me it fleshed out the disease concept. As in it really explained it well, including the issues that current treatments present to it. I did not read, in what I have read so far, that he disputes alcoholism is a disease, in fact just the opposite. I think he just does a very good job summarizing both sides of the coin.
Check out Kevin MvCauley at The Institute For Addiction Study
I didn't offer this to be controversial. In fact I had no idea there was any controversy in what I was offering up.
I think the reason it 'raises hackles' on some folks is because they have seen as I have that 'newbies' and yes some in 'recovery of sorts' use it as an EXCUSE to not have to take responsibility for their actions.
This is an EXCELLENT thread.
Love and hugs,
Debating on this subject seems to me a bit like chasing down a poisonous snake that has just bitten you.
You may get some satisfaction out of nailing down the source but you may waste precious time getting to the solution at the hospital.
You may get some satisfaction out of nailing down the source but you may waste precious time getting to the solution at the hospital.
Use what as an excuse? That alcoholism is a disease? Or is not a disease?
I've been studying alcoholism for a number of years and cannot even find a commonly accepted definition. It's a disease per the AMA yet fails to fit into their neat little criteria for a disease. The shrinks in DSM IV don't agree with the MDs in AMA. Is a physical or mental disease or both. Treatment for the condition involves behavior modification which is psychlogical (not sociological), and George Valiants works are either brilliant if you agree or controversial if you don't. Stanton Peele's works are the same - it depends on if you agree or disagree.
What this boils down to is that no one really understands what alcoholism is. I know what it is as do most folks who read these posts. We have the damn condiion whatever it is and we understand it perfectly. The only agreement that I can find about alcoholism is that it's:
(1) Primary. Nothing causes alcoholism but alcohol
(2) Cronic. You've got it aqnd will always have it
(3) Progressive. It gets worse whether you continue drinking or not
(4) Fatal. It's going to kill you if you continue drinking.
The good news? It's treatable. You can stop the insanity if you're willing to put in some hard work. Quitting is easy, staying quit is another story. But whether it's a disease or an allergy or whatever makes no difference. If you're an alcoholic you need to stop drinking. End of discussion. And by the way, I like to refer to it as an adverse physical and psychological reaction to the consumption of alcohol. Sounds impressive, huh?
What this boils down to is that no one really understands what alcoholism is. I know what it is as do most folks who read these posts. We have the damn condiion whatever it is and we understand it perfectly. The only agreement that I can find about alcoholism is that it's:
(1) Primary. Nothing causes alcoholism but alcohol
(2) Cronic. You've got it aqnd will always have it
(3) Progressive. It gets worse whether you continue drinking or not
(4) Fatal. It's going to kill you if you continue drinking.
The good news? It's treatable. You can stop the insanity if you're willing to put in some hard work. Quitting is easy, staying quit is another story. But whether it's a disease or an allergy or whatever makes no difference. If you're an alcoholic you need to stop drinking. End of discussion. And by the way, I like to refer to it as an adverse physical and psychological reaction to the consumption of alcohol. Sounds impressive, huh?
Use what as an excuse? That alcoholism is a disease? Or is not a disease?
"I can't help it, I have a disease."
"It's not me, it's the disease."
and on and on and on,
I personally believe it is a disease. Others don't. As the years go on, and more and more research is done, and more and more papers are written, maybe they (The AMA) will finally decide, once and for all if it is or it isn't. In medical school, during the whole 15 minutes they get on alcoholism it is still called 'a disease.'
Thank you for starting this thread. I am sure there are some who have not heard of Dr Valliant and will find him very interesting.
Love and hugs,
I have an opinion which is a little different.
I think the potential for alcoholism is hard wired into some individual's nervous systems. Potential. Just like for some, the potential for depression or OCD or ADHD or Bipolar, IMHO, is hard wired. Alcoholism runs in families, as does depression, ADHD, etc... Something happens in an individual's life... stress, trauma, too many parties... whatever... and the potential is realized.
My father and brother were/are recovered alcoholics... our personalities were/are very similar in many, many ways.... Nature (heredity) or Nurture (environment) or a little of both? Point is that my alcoholism is hard wired into me like my personality....mmm.... like my character traits... or .... defects ...if you will.
I don't consider my alcoholism a disease... the potential was hard wired into me... like my hair color, body type... It was potential for some time... I did not mature out of my addictive behaviors... I became addicted. Potential realized.
I did not have to live down to my potential... but I did. Why? I like alcohol... The more I drank the more I wanted to. I did not think there was a problem with that... just buy more ...
I don't think technology will ever be able to detect physical differences in potential alcoholics... because there are none, really... nothing to detect... no disease or defect... just the potential...
Besides, we diagnose our own alcoholism... Perhaps each one of should also be able to decide for ourselves if we have a disease or not.
This post was not meant to be argumentative, if it appeared that way, my apologies... Just a kinda skewed way to look at it.
Mark
I think the potential for alcoholism is hard wired into some individual's nervous systems. Potential. Just like for some, the potential for depression or OCD or ADHD or Bipolar, IMHO, is hard wired. Alcoholism runs in families, as does depression, ADHD, etc... Something happens in an individual's life... stress, trauma, too many parties... whatever... and the potential is realized.
My father and brother were/are recovered alcoholics... our personalities were/are very similar in many, many ways.... Nature (heredity) or Nurture (environment) or a little of both? Point is that my alcoholism is hard wired into me like my personality....mmm.... like my character traits... or .... defects ...if you will.
I don't consider my alcoholism a disease... the potential was hard wired into me... like my hair color, body type... It was potential for some time... I did not mature out of my addictive behaviors... I became addicted. Potential realized.
I did not have to live down to my potential... but I did. Why? I like alcohol... The more I drank the more I wanted to. I did not think there was a problem with that... just buy more ...
I don't think technology will ever be able to detect physical differences in potential alcoholics... because there are none, really... nothing to detect... no disease or defect... just the potential...
Besides, we diagnose our own alcoholism... Perhaps each one of should also be able to decide for ourselves if we have a disease or not.
This post was not meant to be argumentative, if it appeared that way, my apologies... Just a kinda skewed way to look at it.
Mark
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The only time I see it described as a disease is when a doctor describes our behavior.
I don't like the word "sick" either. If I lie to you or steal from you, it's because I'm a liar or a thief. If I run roughshod over your life, it's not because I'm drunk.
Being sick or having a disease doesn't sit with my experience of the "affliction" or the recovery thereof.
I like words like "hopeless state of mind and body", "spiritual malady", illness..., but then it goes on to compare... or should I say contrast it to cancer in that it brings on "annihilation, brings misunderstanding, fierce resentment, financial insecurity, disgusted friends and employers, warped lives of blameless children, sad wifes and parents-anyone can increase the list."
Alcoholism kicks other diseases ass! That's what I think.
I also like the word "recovered."
I don't like the word "sick" either. If I lie to you or steal from you, it's because I'm a liar or a thief. If I run roughshod over your life, it's not because I'm drunk.
Being sick or having a disease doesn't sit with my experience of the "affliction" or the recovery thereof.
I like words like "hopeless state of mind and body", "spiritual malady", illness..., but then it goes on to compare... or should I say contrast it to cancer in that it brings on "annihilation, brings misunderstanding, fierce resentment, financial insecurity, disgusted friends and employers, warped lives of blameless children, sad wifes and parents-anyone can increase the list."
Alcoholism kicks other diseases ass! That's what I think.
I also like the word "recovered."
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Originally Posted by joedris
(1) Primary. Nothing causes alcoholism but alcohol
(2) Cronic. You've got it aqnd will always have it
(3) Progressive. It gets worse whether you continue drinking or not
(4) Fatal. It's going to kill you if you continue drinking.
(2) Cronic. You've got it aqnd will always have it
(3) Progressive. It gets worse whether you continue drinking or not
(4) Fatal. It's going to kill you if you continue drinking.
What else can I say. The disease model makes no clam about personal choice. Just a clinical understanding. A way of seeing the revealing features of alcoholism in a coherent way using medical jargon.
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Alcoholism isn't considered a primary condition in all alcoholics. Quite a lot of alcoholics have underlying mental health problems that have contributed to them developing alcoholism through self medication.
These people are often referred to as secondary alcoholics. I think this distinction is important and should be made in order for an alcoholic to receive the correct treatment
These people are often referred to as secondary alcoholics. I think this distinction is important and should be made in order for an alcoholic to receive the correct treatment
I had a chance to listen to an Addictionologist give a talk about alcoholism.
He said 100% of his patients seemed to have a blown insight circuit.
That might explain why it takes a "Spiritual Awakening" to become recovered.
He said 100% of his patients seemed to have a blown insight circuit.
That might explain why it takes a "Spiritual Awakening" to become recovered.
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