If asking any person who is suffering from alcoholism whether it is a disease or not, mostly, the immediate answer that will follow is going to be no. The same question asked to a person who is receiving treatment from alcoholism will result in a positive answer. Considering alcoholism a disease has been a hot issue for debates in America since the 18th century (Hobbs) and continues up to the present time.
The discussion is still going on due to the fact that, alcoholism does not fit under the conventional “standards” of a disease, where the general opinion is deeming it as an addictive behavior. In that sense, alcoholism is denied the status of the disease despite being accepted by scientists and medical commissions as a chronic, progressing, and even fatal illness, which as in any disease has a particular course and symptoms. In that regard, this paper analyzes the different opinions regarding this issue, being a subject that draws continuous debates.
How Does the Second Party Try to Tell the Public That Alcoholism Isn’t A Disease?
Hector Colchado doesn’t consider Alcoholism a disease. In his argument, he starts by mentioning the definition of a disease, where according to him, a disease is “a medical condition, a specific disorder and a considered problem in society, which is based on the general view from a political and medical consensus” (Colchado). After that, he builds some comments in order to defend his claim.
In his first comment, Colchado says that alcoholism is not a problem in society; if it is a problem (and eventually a disease), many other behaviors like homosexuality will be considered diseases too. Hector Colchado says that “there is no such thing as a cure for homosexuality or alcoholism it is just a state of mind, a decision, an option and a habit” (Colchado). In a second comment, he says that usually someone with a medical condition needs to go to the hospital, but with alcoholism it is not necessary. The third comment, in the case of considering alcoholism a problem in society, the term ‘disease’ will not be accurate to describe it (Colchado).
Colchado says that alcoholism can’t be a disease because drinking is an optional activity. A person who has a disease can’t “stop having” it because it needs a cure. But an alcoholic can end his/her addiction by stopping drinking. Also, the sick person needs money for treatment to get well; without money there is no chance to get well. But an addict will stop drinking alcohol if he doesn’t have money (Colchado).
Colchado makes his conclusion depending on his own opinions; his argument is not totally consistent with the definition of the disease. According to the definition, the disease is a problem in society, but Colchado argues that if alcoholism is a problem, it cannot be considered a disease. Colchado also ignores that it is not easy for an alcoholic to stop drinking (Colchado). According to Dr. Thomas R. Hobbs, the proper description of alcoholism is the following:
Alcoholism is a primary chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and
environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations.
The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired
control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol
despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, mostly denial.
Each of these symptoms may be continuous or periodic. (Hobbs)
Alcoholism is a Medical Condition and a Specific Disorder
Dr. Steven D. Ehrlich from the University of Maryland says that addiction is caused by the changes in the levels of brain chemicals. He says that the 2 main chemicals in this process are:
- “Gamma-aminobutyric Acid”: It’s also known as “GABA”. This acid prevents the individual from being “impulsive” (Ehrlich).
- “Dopamine”: This chemical “is linked with pleasurable feelings” (Ehrlich).
The changes of the levels of these 2 chemicals cause the addict to become impulsive and have uncomfortable feelings. The only way to keep the levels of these 2 chemicals normal is drinking alcohol (Ehrlich).
In regard of the mental effect, according to the Committee on Nomenclature and Statistics (1968) of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, “both alcoholism and drug dependence are classified as subdivisions under the heading of ‘personality disorders and certain other non psychotic mental disorders.’” (Carroll, 2005)
Accordingly, researches proved that mental illnesses and alcoholism can co-occur, where the treatment of alcoholism should be accompanied by the treatment of mental illnesses, such as depression.( Schwartz, 2008)
The provided information proves that alcoholism is a “medical condition” and a “specific disorder” (Colchado). These are 2 main characteristics of any disease according to the definition.
Alcoholism Is a Problem in the Society
According to the “American Medical Association”, about 18 million people in the United States suffer from alcoholism. Researches also prove that more the 70 million people in the United States have suffered from having at least one alcoholic in the family. Unfortunately, alcoholism is responsible for more than 50% deadly car accidents in the United States (Ehrlich). The several negative effects of alcoholism cost the U.S. economy more than 115 billion dollars every year (Hobbs).
These numbers prove that alcoholism is a “considered problem in society” (Colchado). This is a main characteristic of any disease according to the definition.
Alcoholism Has Symptoms Just Like Any Disease
- Physical Symptoms: The alcoholic regularly feels pain inside his/her body. Also, the addict suffers from numbness in different parts of his/her body especially the legs and the arms. The eyes of an alcoholic turn red as a result of drinking. An addict cannot remember what happens during the time of drinking; this case is known as the “blackout” (“Symptoms”). Drinking alcohol can cause “liver diseases”. There are some “withdrawal symptoms” such as “nausea”, “sweating”, and “shakiness” (Ehrlich). The withdrawal symptoms occur when the addict doesn’t receive the alcohol dose at the usual time (Ehrlich).
- Psychological Symptoms: Drinking Alcohol causes “anxiety, depression, irritability and sleep disorders” (Ehrlich). It is painful for an alcoholic to have these symptoms. Thus, he/she will try to have larger doses of alcohol to defeat his/her painful feelings. Symptoms become more serious if alcohol doses become larger (“Symptoms”).
This essay has shown that it is more reasonable to believe that alcoholism is a disease. It’s true that the supporters of the statement that alcoholism is not a disease, but a behavior, supports their claims with strong arguments, but it is mostly dependable on personal opinions. At the same time the supporters of the idea that alcoholism is a disease, backup their arguments with facts and statistics, and thus their arguments are more acceptable.
Fighting alcoholism must be started by the addict; the addict must admit that there is a problem and must seek “medical treatment and rehabilitation” (“Alcoholism”). The addict’s family must try to seek help quickly because delays can negatively affect the addict and the family (“Family Disease”). Dr. Thomas R. Hobbs is an expert in alcoholism issues; he suggests that medical schools must focus more on educating students about alcoholism. He says that “education must begin at the undergraduate level and continue throughout the training of most if not all specialties” (Hobbs).
Works Cited
“Alcoholism.” All About Alcohol. 2007. National Rehab. Web.
“Alcoholism As A Disease.” About. 2009. Th e New York Times Company. Web.
“Alcoholism Is A Family Disease.” About. 2009. The New York Times Company. Web.
“Alcoholism Symptoms.” National Treatment Referral. 2005. Web.
Carroll, Jerome F. X. “Outmoded Concepts in Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation.” Community Mental Health Journal 11.4 (2005): 418-29.
Colchado, Hector. “Alcoholism Is A Choice, Not A Disease.” AddictionInfo. Talon Marks. 2008. Cerritos College Newspaper. Web.
Ehrlich, Steven. “Alcoholism.” University of Maryland Medical Center. 2007. Web.
Hobbs, Thomas. “Managing Alcoholism As A Disease.” Physician’s News Digest. 1998. Physician’s News Digest, Inc. Web.
Schwartz, Allan. “Alcoholism, Drug Addiction and Mental Illness”. 2008. Mental Help. Web.