Is Alcoholism A Disease Or A Lifestyle Choice?

While consumption of alcohol is a socially acceptable practice in our society, issues arise when abuse occurs. Donatelle and Thompson (2011) define alcohol abuse as the "excessive consumption or a level of consumption that interferes with work, school, or social and family relationships" (256). As with other drug addictions, this abuse is disruptive to the alcohol abusers life as well as to those close to them. Moreover, alcohol abuse is accompanied by many devastating effects for all demographics. The harms associated with the misuse and abuse of alcohol includes: harm to oneself, negative effects on friendships and social life, and negative affects to physical

Alcoholics Anonymous is a support group established to help, support, encourage men and women suffering from alcohol addiction. This group is anonymous and volunteer based where people from different race, gender, and socioeconomic status share their stories of substance addictions. Based on the dynamics, this addiction has no prejudice. Many people are unaware that alcohol is a depressant in which slows down one's motor skills and the ability to think rational. This inability can lead to the person harming themselves and others. Many alcoholics used this drug as a way of coping with depression, stress, or loses. This support group will enable the attendees to become open with their addiction, explore other option, and eventually cease this

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines alcoholism as a chronic condition which is mainly characterized by excessive and compulsive consumption of and dependence on alcohol as well as nutritional and mental disorders. This definition depicts alcoholism as a disease that is beyond one’s control. It has however been argued in some circles that alcoholism is a choice and the idea of alcoholism as a disease is a myth. Since it is an individual choice to take alcohol, alcoholism is a consequence of free will. Both sides of the debate are discussed in this paper and it is my conclusion that there is strong evidence that suggests that alcoholism is a disease that needs treatment.

The term “alcoholism” describes a drinker who is mentally and physically dependent on alcohol, and who would most likely have withdrawal symptoms upon trying to quit. This dependence prevents most alcoholics from being able to control when they drink and how much they drink. For that reason, alcoholics usually drink to excess despite the consequences. Alcoholism, like any addiction, is a chronic disorder which involves continued use despite negative consequences and requires ongoing treatment and management. This research paper will cover many aspects of alcoholism including the causes and effects of drinking and different treatment approaches.

Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. Alcoholism is a complex disease with physical, social and psychological consequences, but it can be treated through detoxification and anti-anxiety drugs. What will be explained in this essay is basically the history of alcohol, signs of one possibly being an alcoholic, possibilities to why one becomes an alcoholic, and treatments for it.

Alcoholism is a major issue that still plagues our nation to this day. Jeannette Walls experienced this issue first hand through her father, Rex, as depicted in her memoir The Glass Castle. Jeannette’s father was an alcoholic, evident of him always disappearing for days at a time to go on drinking binges and always spending most of the money that the family earned (Jeannette included) on alcohol. Jeannette was not the only one subjected to one’s alcoholism; my wife was also a victim of alcoholism. She was not the alcoholic though, I was. My alcoholism almost destroyed my marriage on numerous occasions. I was verbally abusive toward my wife and I made our day-to-day lives extremely unbearable. Are Rex and I the only ones who affect our worlds and our loved ones through alcoholism? Unfortunately no, we are not. Our nation and our world is filled with people suffering from this pandemic of alcoholism and it has thrived since the early days of alcohol’s discovery. What can we do as a society to better understand and prevent alcoholism? What is it going to take to get control of our lives back from alcohol that has had

Alcoholism is an issue that a huge percentage of people in the world suffer from. Many people argue that alcoholism is an addiction but some may argue that it is a mental illness resulting from alcohol dependency. There is speculation about the cause of alcoholism but in truth it is still unknown to us. However, there are risk factors that can lead up to alcoholism. Many of these factors include: having a parent that struggles with alcoholism, stress, or if people live in a certain environment where alcohol is generally accepted. Regardless of what it might be, we can all agree that alcoholism can ruin a person's life and the people around them.

Alcoholism is a very complex disorder. It is believed that genetics and several other biological factors are likely involved in the materialization of alcohol dependence, along with cognitive behavior, temperament, psychological and sociocultural factors. Alcohol use patterns including alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are “familial” in nature (cf. Heath et al., Kendlerm Heath, heath Neale, Kessler & Eaves, 1992; Hesselbrock, 1995) Alcohol abuse is a drinking pattern that results In significant and recurrent adverse consequences. People suffering from alcoholism (technically known as alcohol dependence) have lost reliable control of their alcohol use. Neither the amount or kind of alcohol that an alcohol dependent person consumes

Is alcoholism genetic or is it due to lack of self-control? Through research, Dr. Robert R. Perkinson attests that alcoholism is nothing to be ashamed of because it is genetic. There are different genetic types of alcoholism. Perkinson distinguished two forms of alcoholism. One type is an environmental related type of alcoholism, associated with recurrent alcohol abuse, but without criminality in the biological parents. The other type was found to be highly

In 1956 the AMA (American Medical Association) classified Alcoholism as a disease. The association’s definition of alcoholism is "a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations." In this case the term “primary” is used to indicate that it is a disease that can lead to other diseases such as Cirrhosis, Liver Cancer and Diabetes. The AMA characterizes Alcoholism by:

Many people believe the words alcoholism and alcohol abuse to be interchangeable when in fact they are two different terms. Alcoholism is a disease defined as the uncontrollable physical need and emotional dependence on alcohol. The person lacks the ability to refrain from alcohol even when the results of their drinking are detrimental to all aspects of their life such as their marriage, their job and their financial wellbeing. Alcoholism is a chronic disease and can even become fatal if left untreated.

Alcoholism which is known as the family disease has been affecting families for decades. This disease is not just affecting the one suffering from it, but the family in its entirety. A child growing up an in alcoholic family is four times more likely to abuse alcohol in the future. (“Children Of Alcoholics”). It begins with children seeing drinking as an everyday phenomenon, and beginning to perceive this as the norm (“Children of Alcoholics”). It starts to increase their expectation and reality of drinking at an early age and begins the process of accumulating an obsessive behavior, but that does not come from just anywhere. There are two components that go along with becoming an alcoholic and they are a physiological aspect and

There is still debate whether alcoholism is a choice or disease. Many doctors and healthcare professionals believe that addiction to alcohol is a disease (Nenn). The idea that alcoholism is a disease is not a new concept where even Dr. Benjamin Rush in 1784 believed that “this condition is a disease – one that should be treated by physicians” (Nenn). Hence, when a person is dependent on drugs or alcohol that person cannot stop using it. There are also some people and doctors that believe alcoholism is a disease, but it is also a choice because humans can choose to stop doing it with some help (Nenn). One of the most common ways to help people with alcoholism is rehab places. One of the most effective meetings is 12 step programs which “Most

Although many people consider alcoholism a choice, in reality, alcoholism exists as a form of mental illness/ disease. There are many sources to prove that Alcoholism is a form of mental illness/ disease. “The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water” (National Institute 1). Too many people who are alcoholics drink alcohol like there is no issue. In their minds, alcohol is not the problem.

Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive and potentially fatal disorder which leads to physical and psychological harm, and impaired social and vocational functioning. It is characterized by tolerance, physical dependence and/or pathological organ changes, all of which are the direct/indirect consequence of the alcohol ingested (Light 5). Alcoholism, also known as "alcohol dependence," can be recognized by four obvious symptoms.