Alcoholism is an Addiction, not a Disease

Someone with 20 years of continuous sobriety is just as likely to relapse as someone with 20 days. To some programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, the ongoing battle of excessive drinking is defined as a battle with a disease. By defining alcoholism as a disease it takes away the self-blame that one should feel for fueling such an addiction. A disease is more of an uncontrollable condition that needs medical attention, whereas an addiction can be resolved with a little persistence and desire for life alterations. Defining alcoholism as a disease makes it appear as though no one is at fault for their actions, since when did people stop holding themselves accountable for their own actions and behavior? Alcoholism would be more suitably defined as an addiction as opposed to claiming it as a disease because it exists due to one’s actions.

A disease should be considered as an uncontrollable illness that can negatively impact one’s life for a consistent amount of time. Diseases are not wanted nor would one fuel the disease’s progression by continuously repeating the same behavior. Some particular diseases are genetically transmitted and are apparent at birth. An addiction, on the other hand, is the repetition of a particular behavior regardless of the consequences. If the behavior is stopped then it is not uncommon for withdrawal symptoms to become evident. An addiction is something that is carried out through personal choice and is controllable based upon the actions that are being taken. An addiction can be stopped at any time with a little persistence and dedication to alter the behavior that feeds the addiction. In contrast, a disease can sometimes be cured with medical attention, depending upon the disease, as opposed to simply j...

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...an addiction can fluctuate between being constant or nonexistent, a disease is constant and no one has control over the matter. Another piece of evidence that disqualifies alcoholism as being defined as a disease is the mere fact that it affects the person on a psychological basis as opposed to a biological one. In other words, medical attention is not necessary to overcome the addiction.

Works Cited

"Alcoholism." Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2013): 1-2. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.

Digilio, G.-O. "Alcoholism, The Thinking Disease." Lesbian News 39.4 (2013): 18. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.

Kneale, James, and Shaun French. "Mapping Alcohol: Health, Policy And The Geographies Of Problem Drinking In Britain." Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy 15.3 (2008): 233- 249. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.