Alcoholism_is_a_disease
i've done my almost
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,934
Alcoholism_is_a_disease
I'm open to other forms of recovery, to other ideas (heck, that's what got me sober), but one thing I just don't understand is why anyone, especially us alcoholics, who say alcoholism isn't a disease.
To me, from my own experience and from what I've seen in others, it's a no brainer.
Alcoholism is a disease. Check out the definition below.
dis·ease
noun, verb
–noun
1. a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment.
Kjell
To me, from my own experience and from what I've seen in others, it's a no brainer.
Alcoholism is a disease. Check out the definition below.
dis·ease
noun, verb
–noun
1. a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment.
Kjell
RIP Sweet Suki
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: In my sanctuary, my home
Posts: 39,927
Does it really matter what it's called? It's a problem that needs a solution. People can and do recover, so whether one chooses to call it an illness, sickness or a disease is just semantics. IMHO
i've done my almost
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,934
Originally Posted by suki44883 
Does it really matter what it's called? It's a problem that needs a solution. People can and do recover, so whether one chooses to call it an illness, sickness or a disease is just semantics. IMHO
Knowing that fact, really helped me to understand why I did some of the things I did, why I repeated over and over again bad behavior (and regretted it), and why I kept drinking and couldn't connect the dots that my problem was that I was an alcoholic and my alcoholism needed to be treated.
I needed to identify what was wrong with me so I could then find a solution.
Member of SMART Recovery
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,722
Originally Posted by Kjell
I'm open to other forms of recovery, to other ideas (heck, that's what got me sober), but one thing I just don't understand is why anyone, especially us alcoholics, who say alcoholism isn't a disease.
To me, from my own experience and from what I've seen in others, it's a no brainer.
Alcoholism is a disease. Check out the definition below.
dis·ease
noun, verb
–noun
1. a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment.
Kjell
To me, from my own experience and from what I've seen in others, it's a no brainer.
Alcoholism is a disease. Check out the definition below.
dis·ease
noun, verb
–noun
1. a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment.
Kjell
So I think that the problem isn't with the term itself, it's with the definition.
OTT
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
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I'm just going to stick with calling addiction an illness. There's to much debate stirred up when the disease concept is mentioned. But whatever one wants to call their condition is good with me and as long as it helps them recover...all the better 
Dismember
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Mitten, USA
Posts: 1,641
I don't know really know the details of what constitutes a "disease."
I have heard that decades ago a lot of people in the medical community wanted to push the alcoholism-disease issue out of debating circles and establish it as a disease so it could be treated by insurance programs and protect alcoholics' rights by law. In that pragmatic sense I definitely agree with pushing it as a disease.
I have heard that decades ago a lot of people in the medical community wanted to push the alcoholism-disease issue out of debating circles and establish it as a disease so it could be treated by insurance programs and protect alcoholics' rights by law. In that pragmatic sense I definitely agree with pushing it as a disease.
RIP Sweet Suki
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: In my sanctuary, my home
Posts: 39,927
Well, the way I feel about it is...if it helps keep one sober by thinking of it as a disease, then fine. What it all boils down to is that each of us, although we share alcoholism, are individuals and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Find what works for you and work it.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
I agree Kjell but i like to use illness myself...if someone really objects to the disease concept then it would be more simple to explain it as a mental illness and would one expect someone who is screaming at the moon whilst shouting the world is going to end today to sort themselves out, so why expect someone who has been abusing alcohol all their life to suddenly stop and get better without taking into account that they had some sort of problem in the first place to warrant turning to substance abuse...
The disease/illness concept was very important for me to accept because before that i was convinced that i could do this by myself and i didn't need any help...at the very most i would walk into some sort of lip service relationship with a professional or group and then leave after drinking again proclaiming it didn't work for me...the truth of the matter is that until we accept that we have a problem other than alcohol, a problem in ourselves, then as an alcoholic we are doomed either to a life of suffering or taking the next drink after a period of abstinence...
On that note sometimes i think back and wonder how after the 100th "attempt" to stop drinking did i not see that i needed help...that's some impressive denial!
As for labouring the point of the disease concept...what's the point...you will have as much success with an alcoholic who isn't done as convincing a mentally ill person who thinks they are Napoleon that they are not! If you had told me i had a disease before i was at a point to receive help, desperate and hopeless, i would have called you an idiot?!
The disease/illness concept was very important for me to accept because before that i was convinced that i could do this by myself and i didn't need any help...at the very most i would walk into some sort of lip service relationship with a professional or group and then leave after drinking again proclaiming it didn't work for me...the truth of the matter is that until we accept that we have a problem other than alcohol, a problem in ourselves, then as an alcoholic we are doomed either to a life of suffering or taking the next drink after a period of abstinence...
On that note sometimes i think back and wonder how after the 100th "attempt" to stop drinking did i not see that i needed help...that's some impressive denial!
As for labouring the point of the disease concept...what's the point...you will have as much success with an alcoholic who isn't done as convincing a mentally ill person who thinks they are Napoleon that they are not! If you had told me i had a disease before i was at a point to receive help, desperate and hopeless, i would have called you an idiot?!
same planet...different world
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Butte, America
Posts: 10,946
I was taught:
disease = 'dis' +ease = inability to be at ease.
Illness = ill + 'ness' = 'ill' as a state of being.
Some people need to have an understanding of alcoholism as a disease
but others are simply looking for something to 'blame'
or some way of being a 'victim' of something they can't control.
I think either approach can be helpful
as long as one remains in a placce of responsibility.
responsibility = able to respond.
Jus sayin.
disease = 'dis' +ease = inability to be at ease.
Illness = ill + 'ness' = 'ill' as a state of being.
Some people need to have an understanding of alcoholism as a disease
but others are simply looking for something to 'blame'
or some way of being a 'victim' of something they can't control.
I think either approach can be helpful
as long as one remains in a placce of responsibility.
responsibility = able to respond.
Jus sayin.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Living in Today!
Posts: 3,945
Originally Posted by Zencat
I'm just going to stick with calling addiction an illness. There's to much debate stirred up when the disease concept is mentioned. But whatever one wants to call their condition is good with me and as long as it helps them recover...all the better
Today's Muse
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West end
Posts: 1,081
I find, I have my own concepts and beliefs. No matter how strongly I believe, or feel about my beliefs, others will have their own. It took what it took to get better. None the less, whatever you choose to call it, there is a solution.
i've done my almost
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,934
Originally Posted by barb dwyer
II think either approach can be helpful
as long as one remains in a placce of responsibility.
responsibility = able to respond.
Jus sayin.
as long as one remains in a placce of responsibility.
responsibility = able to respond.
Jus sayin.
Laozi Old Man
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,665
Originally Posted by suki44883
Does it really matter what it's called? It's a problem that needs a solution.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Northfield MN
Posts: 12
Interesting article, I'll be mulling it for awhile. But the gist of it seems to be "it's not a disease, it's a choice". There's the whole debate, right?
I don't think it's true that 'disease' concept immediately "inevitably" makes alcoholics 'victims'.
I am powerless over alcohol....and I am morally responsible for my disease.
I don't think it's true that 'disease' concept immediately "inevitably" makes alcoholics 'victims'.
I am powerless over alcohol....and I am morally responsible for my disease.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New York City
Posts: 221
Frankly, I have no idea why this "controversy" about a term is so tenacious or important to anyone.
DSM-IV defines substance abuse and substance dependence as important medical syndromes...
Doctors agree alcohol abuse and dependence are real death-causing health issues. The "disease/illness" controversy is simply, IMO, a waste of time.
I will say, substance dependence is NOT a choice. Substance abuse may be. But again, this distinction still serves no meaningful purpose for, or provides any help for those suffering from these medical conditions...
Don't lose the forest for the trees.
DSM-IV defines substance abuse and substance dependence as important medical syndromes...
Doctors agree alcohol abuse and dependence are real death-causing health issues. The "disease/illness" controversy is simply, IMO, a waste of time.
I will say, substance dependence is NOT a choice. Substance abuse may be. But again, this distinction still serves no meaningful purpose for, or provides any help for those suffering from these medical conditions...
Don't lose the forest for the trees.
Ozone Ranger
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dazed and confused
Posts: 138
Originally Posted by PaleMale
Frankly, I have no idea why this "controversy" about a term is so tenacious or important to anyone.
DSM-IV defines substance abuse and substance dependence as important medical syndromes...
Doctors agree alcohol abuse and dependence are real death-causing health issues. The "disease/illness" controversy is simply, IMO, a waste of time.
I will say, substance dependence is NOT a choice. Substance abuse may be. But again, this distinction still serves no meaningful purpose for, or provides any help for those suffering from these medical conditions...
Don't lose the forest for the trees.
DSM-IV defines substance abuse and substance dependence as important medical syndromes...
Doctors agree alcohol abuse and dependence are real death-causing health issues. The "disease/illness" controversy is simply, IMO, a waste of time.
I will say, substance dependence is NOT a choice. Substance abuse may be. But again, this distinction still serves no meaningful purpose for, or provides any help for those suffering from these medical conditions...
Don't lose the forest for the trees.
Precious time is being spent picking fly **** out of the pepper. If all who subscribe to the disease concept are wrong, what is the consequence? If all are right, who gets the medal? Who got drunk and who got sober by taking a position? I try to stay focused on facts. We all were adrift. We all found this life raft.
Which way we paddlin'?
Dismember
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Mitten, USA
Posts: 1,641
I think that while it might be contested whether or not alcoholism fits the definition of a disease, any meaningful answer is going to be based on objective criteria, not on subjective beliefs and opinions. Kind of a good thing too, in my opinion. If I went to the doctor over a bad case of the flu I would not feel comfortable if he/she was of the opinion that cosmic rays rather than germs caused flus.
As far as recovery goes though, I don't feel like my strategy and mental orientation for getting and staying sober would be swayed if the medical community went one way or another over the disease question. So long as I'm getting pragmatic results I feel the scientific details really aren't that important.
As far as recovery goes though, I don't feel like my strategy and mental orientation for getting and staying sober would be swayed if the medical community went one way or another over the disease question. So long as I'm getting pragmatic results I feel the scientific details really aren't that important.
i've done my almost
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,934
Thanks everyone. The solution, of course, is much more important than the problem. That's true with almost all facets of my life.
For me, for this alcoholic, I simply wanted to know what was wrong with me so I could address the problem properly. Once I knew it was a disease and started to learn about alcoholism, my recovery "skyrocketed" as now things made sense to me. I was then able to launch into a program of action.
Again, to each his/her own. I'm happy for anyone who is able to get sober and willing and wanting to help all, even if they have different opinions. Heck, I might even learn something and usually do when I keep an open mind and remain willing.
Kjell
For me, for this alcoholic, I simply wanted to know what was wrong with me so I could address the problem properly. Once I knew it was a disease and started to learn about alcoholism, my recovery "skyrocketed" as now things made sense to me. I was then able to launch into a program of action.
Again, to each his/her own. I'm happy for anyone who is able to get sober and willing and wanting to help all, even if they have different opinions. Heck, I might even learn something and usually do when I keep an open mind and remain willing.
Kjell
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