Q&A: People in medical field considering alcoholism as a disease?
Question by g.i.r: People in medical field considering alcoholism as a disease?
Well I know there are people in the medical field who consider alcoholism as a disease, but does everyone in the medical field consider it a disease?
Does the majority consider it?
Also if you know any specific people in the medical field who don’t believe alcoholism is a disease can you please add that?
and last part…what’s your opinion and why?
Best answer:
Answer by rxw
Alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol, and addictions are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).
DSM-IV is produced by members of the medical community. So yes, the medical field does consider it a disease. There should be no reason for anyone in the medical field to believe it is not a disease.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as “Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in the individual pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors. Addiction is characterized by impairment in behavioral control, craving, inability to consistently abstain, and diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships. Like other chronic diseases, addiction involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.”
My opinion is yes, it is a disease.
What do you think? Answer below!
January 27th, 2012 at 8:30 am
from a non-mental health pov alcoholism is a disease not only because of the addiction, but also becauseof the effect of excessive alcohol use on the body as a whole.
In the medical field, we do not judge anyone, ergo an alcoholic is a patient, end of discussion.
Go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease_theory_of_alcoholism
January 27th, 2012 at 8:53 am
The co-founders of AA didn’t think that alcoholism is a disease Most people are surprised to learn that. I know that I was – after sitting in AA meetings for several years listening to AA folks talk about “their disease” and ‘disease this’ and ‘disease’ that and “I have a disease that tells me that I don’t have a disease” —- Holy Molly . . a talking affliction!
POP-AA folks are just so weird.
It is fair to note that the co-founders of AA NEVER ONCE refer to alcoholism as a disease in the Big Book, “Alcoholics Anonymous” – even though they certainly had the opportunity to do so. This is a glaring omission and likely intentional. The word “disease” is avoided like the plague in the AA book. Bill Wilson, in an interview years later was asked if he believed in the disease concept. He did not – and neither did the co-authors/co-founders and I don’t either.
The disease concept/model comes from the medical industry as it hones in on the recovery business. They are after all in “the disease business” and if alcoholism can be classified as a disease – they’re good as gold! AND they’re successfully doing it too – taking back the business they abandoned years ago because they had no success and couldn’t make money at it – (Alcoholics don’t really pay their bills very often — now do they?)
Now, today – fueled by the health insurance industry, who pays the doctors and rehabs even as the “treatment” inevitably fails. What a deal! The rich get richer and real alcoholics die from a disease that does NOT even exist – and cannot be “treated” — from chronic alcoholism stemming from spiritual malady that is beyond th capabilities of medical science and BOARD APPROVED opportunists — and NOT DISEASE. Nice.
Real alkies like me just don’t identify with those “disease” folks at all. It is amazing we haven’t ALL joined their ranks and left the fellowship. It’s just such a prolific source of prospects that we “keep comin’ back” – only not so we can stay sober – as some suppose. We have already recovered and have been placed in a position of neutrality with respect to EtOH — but we come for the “fresh meat” to take through the 12 steps and to “save” from the AA hobbyists, social workers and amateur psychologists that sit in folding chairs spouting their bullshit and kill real alcoholics by telling the to “just dont’ drink” like any non-alcoholic can do and they cannot!
Peace and Love,
Danny S – RLRA
Real Live Recovered Alcoholic
http://recoveredalcoholic.blogspot.com
PS: Alcoholism is not referred to in the Big Book, “Alcoholics Anonymous” as a spiritual disease.