Question by denveryay: How is it possible to absolutely categorize Alcoholim as a disease and not an illness?
“Disease” is a very loosely defined term in many respects. There are multiple disorders, infenctions, and symptoms that can be typical of a definable disease. Also, a disease must have specific and constant cause(s), which in the case of Alcoholism is the CHOICE to drink ethyl-alcohol. The cause of the “disease” is the recurring and disregarding CHOICE to drink. A choice, however pathological or illogical, doesn’t seem to be appropriate as a cause or a condition of any disease. Despite the negative psychological, physiological, and other results of long-term alcohol abuse, it seems that it shouldn’t be classified as anything more than a treatable mental disorder.

“Illness, although often used to mean disease, can also refer to a person’s perception of their health, regardless of whether they in fact have a disease. A person without any disease may feel unhealthy and believe he has an illness. Another person may feel healthy and believe he does not have an illness even though he may have a disease” – Wikipedia on ‘Disease’

It is true that if some Alcoholics didn’t have a disease to blame for their disorder, they would not be able to stop drinking. It is also true that because of Alcholism-as-a-disease, many people who ABUSE alcohol are led into misperceptions about their drinking habits. In fact, it is only alcohol DEPENDENCE that could possibly even begin to be categorized as a disease.

An individual who is alcohol-dependent exhibits behavior indicitive of addiction. Drink-seeking, withdrawal and tolerance, and psychological malfunction among others are the results and symptoms of addiction. My father and friends have struggled with alchohol and drug addictions and I have seen the both successful and unsuccessful treatments implemented in their lives.

It seems that Alcoholism and drug addictions are psychological disorders that in a vast majority of instances could be cured by a conscious choice (however difficult) to STOP using the cause of the addiction. It has been proven in many instances that an addict can stop using the object of their addiction without any complications, as long as they are commited to quitting.

It seems that diseases should only be those such as Cancer, Diabetes, Hepatitis and the like. People who have these diseases cannot make a choice to simply stop a behavior to ease their pains. Whereas, although undoubtedly difficult, an addict can ease his or her addiction by making a powerful choice to stop using.

By allowing alcoholism to be categorized as a disease, it seems that negative stigma is removed from addicts’ behaviors and people who drink are given an excuse to justify their behavior. Instead of feeling like they’ve let themselves and their families down, they are able to blam their behavior on a cause outside of their control, which is simply not true.

“Neither the U.S. Veterans Administration nor the Social Security Administration makes payments to individuals, whose disabilities stem from substance abuse, including alcoholism.” – From Shoutwire

I am NOT pro- or anti- any of this I am looking for factual objective evidence and ideas that could lead to helping me understand why Alchoholism is given reprieve by its disease classification.

Best answer:

Answer by kentuckyredhead5353
Well about half way through I had a problem and I developed this question. What is the difference with what you were saying in comparison to a cigarette smoker for some it’s the habit and the motion and some get physically sick for the lack of nicotine is it not similar. emotional vs physical and different for different personality types? 🙂 Guess I could read on have a good one:-)
OK I’m finally done now i get it, it’s all in there head so all they have to do is get it out of their head and it will all go away. They just will it away. Take 2 aspirins have a sucker and call me in the morning:-)
oh excuse me revision: update-read the last part. it was taken out as a disease because social security was being drained by leagal alcoholics that the government makes good taxes off of. The only help and recourse for a recovering alcoholic, drug user, vet, is a mental health clinic because why did they drink in the first place. Now uncle sam pays for their drugs and kills them off with a lousy health plan. looks who is on all the class action suits that will never collect anything. Trust me I have done my homework on this subject. I know many vets and low income disabled people. Nothing has changed but the name of the disease.

Answer by vinnydamedic
The so called “holy bible” of the world of Psychology and Psychaitry classifies Alcoholism as an addiction, and a psychological disorder (call it illness, disease, whatnot). With it’s classification in the DSM-IVTR, it is now possible to use this disorder as reason for non-competence for crimes, permanent psychiatric disability and other medical claims.

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by wannaoreo

Question by x9hotlilangel1x: how do u tell my mom that is is a drunk and how can i get help for her??
my mom is a drunk and she gets on my nerves u just want to get her help so she can be more of a mother i mean i live in lasing il so if u can help me plz do

Best answer:

Answer by jigsawinc
Look in your phone book or on the web for your local Alcoholics Anonymous group. They have knowledge in this area. Good luck!

Answer by thejester
First of all ask your mother to go a week without a drink.

If she doesn’t want to, or doesn’t like the idea, then she has an alcohol dependancy problem. That doesn’t mean she is a “drunk” but it does mean that she needs some sort of help.

Don’t put it in derogotory terms, she needs help and understanding, but so do you. Explain to her that her drinking makes her into another person who you don’t like nearly as much as the real person who you miss dearly.

Use the week rule. If she laughs at the idea, then tell her that she is in denial. If she isn’t alcohol dependant then a week is no problem.

If she does go a week, talk to her about it and ask her to be honest with herself about how she found the week. Ask her if she could manage drinking just one night a week and to count her alcohol units…

Good Luck

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Question by Puddy: Question about Inpatient Alcohol/Drug Rehab Places:?
I was at one for a month last year… and it did me a WORLD of good!

Even though I did not like the constant groups which I found boring, I DID appreciate the constant medical care and meds monitoring I got there, and the care actually helped to (miraculously for me!) END my nearly 20 year batle w/ the bottle; (HALLELUJAH!)

My question is : Was the rehab unit or freestanding a locked setting? Mine was, but I wonder if it was just the one I went to or are they all or most of them “closed settings”?

And even though I was relatively well treated by the staff and all the others signed in voluntarily, so what’s w/ the locks as if if it were a psych unit or jail?

Best answer:

Answer by Narconon
Not all rehab places are equal. A locked unit is not necessary at all if it is for voluntarily committed addicts and the addiction center has a proper technology on how to handle each case that comes in.

Apparently you went to a place that gives you meds–and, by the way, most do. This kind of “rehab” has its own medical requirements to operate, like insurance, etc. This makes them wary of accidents or incidents and makes them take extreme measures, like the lock-down. Unfortunately this facilities operate more like a psych unit or jail.

I’m glad this worked for you but I’m afraid that there is an option in which they won’t give you meds, they won’t lock you up, there are no “groups” nor psychs to evaluate for you, folks move through the drug or alcohol abuse rehab program at their own pace and are referred to as students, not patients. Also, they won’t substitute one drug for another, etc., etc. This is the Narconon program.

Narconon is the most effective rehab–by far, I know as I was an addict for nearly 20 years too and went through several rehabs until I found the one that handled ALL my specific problems. And not only handled all my “reasons” and problems but it handled some I did not know I had until I discovered them by myself with their amazing courses and practicals. For example I handled my honesty, my integrity and my communication and as if this was not enough this little courses and practicals gave me the ability to confront life and situations with confidence.

There is not one day that I do not use the life skills learned there to help myself or help others. Today I have been drug and alcohol free for over 15 years and I’m very successful at what I do and love, art. Also, I made a point of helping others and when I’m not writing or helping someone with their addiction I’m also volunteering in another non-profit organization. This is my way to thank Narconon for their invaluable help.

When you have a chance visit their website and/or pass this info to someone who might need help with their addictions. The Narconon program is delivered around the world by many organizations and it is the most highly regarded drug rehabilitation due to its effectiveness. Oh, and I forgot to mention their detox is the best in the world too. Not only it handled my cravings but my eyesight improved and I felt so fresh and full of energy when I finished it.

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