<p>Not all agree alcoholism is a disease?
They’ve identified associated genes.
I suppose those people also feel we chose our sexual orientation.</p>
<p>The biggest problem with alcohol is that it is subtle and pernicious (redundant, I know). Regular consumption of alcohol drains your energy and kills the “spark” that you need to be energetic and competitive. You’re perpetually a little bit tired. This affects your attitude towards “rising to occasions”, meeting challenges, and persisting. It leads to an overall bad attitude towards people or things that make demands on you. In the long run, this is noticed, and its not good for your career or your relationships with people.</p>
<p>You don’t have to be falling down, or staggering, or slurring to be an alcoholic. Its far more subtle in most cases. </p>
<p>
Well that’s not true either. I do understand that AA wants to define everyone who comes through their door as alcoholics, but I don’t think that is always helpful.</p>
<p>there are many that feel genes have identified a pre-disposition toward addictive behaviors such as booze, drugs, gambling, etc, but it is news to me that there is an alcoholic gene. To be predisposed toward addiction is very different than a gene causing alcoholism.
Here is one source that weighs the pro’s and con’s of the disease idea:
<a href=“http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol/Controversies/Is-Alcoholism-a-Disease.html#.VAdKx_mO6VE”>http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol/Controversies/Is-Alcoholism-a-Disease.html#.VAdKx_mO6VE</a></p>
<p>I think if you drink every night it could be either a mindless habit, or you could be self-medicating.
I know I self-medicate with coffee.</p>
<p>Edit: Could also simply be a cultural thing. Some cultures drink like fish, some drink wine at at every dinner.</p>
<p>They seem to have located a key gene at Scripps, recently.
<a href=“News and Events | Scripps Research”>News and Events | Scripps Research;
The AMA recognized alcoholism as a disease in 1956.</p>
<p>yes, the article I cited mentioned that, and the motive behind it.</p>
<p>It is worth noting that every organization has a bias towards continuing its own existence and growth, and for AA that almost certainly (if hopefully unintentionally) overdiagnosing alcoholism. It should also be noted that there are people saying the success rate of AA is in the 5-10% range…</p>
<p>I think the best and simplest definition of alcoholism is that it is the inability to stop drinking when you want to. I have known people who couldn’t have just one drink, they HAD to drink themselves into a stupor. I have known other people who rarely drink enough to have an undriveable BAC, but who are unable to go more than a few hours without an alcoholic beverage - they start with a beer at breakfast and drink lightly but steadily throughout the day.</p>
<p>
I think the word “habitual” is a bit slippery in this context. I eat a bowl of cereal just about every day, so I guess it’s a habit in the sense of something I do on a regular basis. But I also think of a “habit” in the sense of a minor addiction, which I don’t think necessarily applies to somebody who has a single beer or glass of wine most days.</p>
<p>The medical incentive for labeling alcoholism a disease is insurance payments for treatment which is a little weird since the treatment is abstinence and not exactly medical.</p>
<p>Abstinence isnt the only " treatment".
Oftimes alcohol was used to self medicate anxiety and depression.
I daresay there are many people who found it was more acceptable ( at least in their own head) to drink alcohol, than to consult a psychiatrist.</p>
<p>For alcoholism. What else works?</p>
<p>Totally agree with comicfish - even if you drink only one drink every night, but for some reason you need to skip a night or two (maybe in preparation for surgery or something), and it is very difficult and the consequences create problems in your life, then you’re an alcoholic. It’s not always about how much you drink - it’s your attitude about drinking that is the trouble.</p>
<p>Very few alcoholics will actually ask others in their lives if they see the alcoholic’s drinking as a problem - they don’t want to hear the answer.</p>
<p>Three medications have been approved by the FDA.
disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate.
SSRIs & tricylic antidepressants are also used.
It isnt a matter of willpower, anymore than treating depression is.</p>
<p>So the recommendation for people to drink a glass of red wine a day is creating a world full of habitual drinkers? </p>
<p>I don’t think AA convinces everyone who walks through their door that they are an alcoholic. AA has a lot of “open meetings” that anyone can attend, and I used to attend with my friend who was a recovering alcoholic. Being there made it pretty clear to me what the difference is between being “powerless over alcohol” and being someone who has a mild problem with the substance.</p>
<p>My friend said one good test is to try to drink a set amount (one drink a week, or two a night, or something), and never have more than that, for something like a year. An alcoholic might well be able totally to abstain for a year, but he or she could never pass the “set amount” test.</p>
<p>Right, it’s all or nothing for an alcoholic. A drink becomes a binge, which is why total abstinence is required. Maybe, there are drugs that help with abstinence but I have never heard anyone suggest that an alcoholic can have a few drinks here and there. And, I’ve seen a few fall off the wagon. It’s not pretty.</p>
<p>Interesting discussion. My dad was an alcoholic. He was most likely drinking as a way of self medicating his depression and anxiety. He stopped when I was eight years old but a lot of damage had been done, especially for my older siblings who suffered longer than I. My dad stopped when my mom called his boss without his knowledge and asked him to confront my dad and force him into treatment through his place of employment. My dad never knew that it was my mother who initiated it. He went into a hospital for a week and came out sober. He never really lost the alcoholic personality, though. Part of that was his depression, anxiety and hypochondria. Many years later he began medication for that and his anxiety but he always struggled.
What kept him sober for all those years (about 40) was AA. He went to meetings at least three times a week and became very active in it. He sponsored many other members and counseled hundreds. I believe AA helps many people but they have to admit that they have a problem and need support. </p>
<p>I have no problems enjoying a glass or two of wine by myself in the evening. It’s even better when I have a glass while in a hot bath. I can go weeks without opening a bottle and will finish it within a couple of days only because I hate to waste it. I think my parents are functioning alcoholics. Both have good jobs but can’t NOT drink every night. And it affects their reactions and our conversations. They view it as social. Fortunately they are 500 miles away. </p>
<p>
So cliche. But false.</p>