Alcoholism Disease: The Ongoing Debate
Alcoholism as a disease is a concept hard to grasp for many people and yet this is how it is viewed by the majority of those working in the addiction field. There is, however, by no means a consensus on categorizing it as a disease
Do you consider alcoholism a disease?
Some people think that alcoholism is a matter of choice rather than a condition which is caused by such things as such as genetic predisposition, social environment and stress. The American Medical Association and many other professional bodies in the U.S. ,define alcoholism as a disease.
“Disease” is often used to refer to any condition that causes discomfort, dysfunction, distress, social problems, and/or death to the person afflicted.
“Disease” is also dis-ease, or without ease, thus, it’s easy to see why formally alcoholism falls into this category. So why do people find it hard to accept the term Alcoholism Disease?
Just like every disease, alcoholism has its causes.
The causes of the condition include genetic environmental, and psychosocial factors.
For example, there are some genes which influence the metabolism of alcohol thereby increasing the risk of alcoholism developing.
Depression
It has been demonstrated that alcoholism and depression often go hand in hand. This is ironic as there is also a debate as to whether depression should be classed as a disease.
Up to 40% of people who drink heavily have symptoms that resemble a depressive illness. The regular consumption of alcohol damages the brain by lowering serotonin and norepinephrine levels which can lead to depression.
Interestingly, evidence suggests that in men drinking problems preceded the depression, whereas in women the depression precedes the alcohol use {American Journal of Epidemiology, “Study Links Depression and Alcohol Problems,” Washington Post Health, Dec. 16, 1997}.
The Statistics Say It All
-2/3 of American adults drink.
-Approximately 6.5% to 10% of the total U.S. population are heavy drinkers and they consume 50% of all the alcohol ingested annually.
-Alcohol is heavily implicated in tragic events and is involved in:
- 50% of all crimes
- 50% of all fatal car accidents
- 33% of all boat/aviation deaths and drowning
- 50% of all accidental death, suicides, and murder
Alcoholism is Not a Disease
There are those who do not concur with the alcoholism disease theory. The most common charge levelled against the disease view is that if you call it a disease then it strips sufferers of personal responsibility and robs them of the ability to recover.
Others believe that treating alcoholism is a matter of dealing with learned drinking behavior, as it is this that is the cause of dependence not genetic or other factors.
This is one controversy that is not going to be resolved any time soon and, as AA espouses the alcoholism disease theory, it will be the view held by the majority for years to come. But does this make it right?
Is Alcoholism A Family Disease?
Alcoholism is considered to be a family disease primarily because of its effects on the family system. Not only can the disease cause substantial damage to the individual who suffers from it, it can also cause considerable injury to family and loved ones. Contrary to what many people believe, alcoholism affects many families. According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are nearly 76 million adults who have been subjected to alcoholism within the family setting.
Alcoholism takes its toll on each member family member in its own distinctive way. In pregnant women, alcohol can affect the way a fetus develops. If a pregnant woman consumes too much alcohol, the fetus may become vulnerable to developing a number of problems including learning disabilities, brain damage and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, otherwise known as FAS, is a birth defect that is life long and permanent. Children born with FAS often have facial abnormalities, dysfunction of the central nervous system, poor motor skills and coordination, and may suffer from poor mental functioning. Behavioral and learning disabilities are also common traits of FAS. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence estimates that there are approximately thirty five thousand babies born every year with mild forms of FAS. Another five thousand are born with severe forms of FAS.
Children in alcoholic families can also be seriously affected if one or both of their parents are alcoholic. Children growing up in an alcoholic environment are often exposed to neglect, abuse or domestic violence. The emotional and psychological repercussions can affect a child throughout their lifetime. Young children may experience phobias, nightmares, anxiety and even depression. They may have night terrors or suffer from bed wetting. In many cases, children of alcoholics will feel as though they are responsible for all the anger, tension and chaos that may occur within the family system. As they grow older, they may become more vulnerable to developing issues with peer relationships and will often suffer from low self-esteem. Statistically, children who are raised in alcoholic families are more prone to develop alcoholism or drug addictions.
There are a number of characteristics that many children of alcoholic families share:
· Feelings of shame and guilt
· Increased levels of anxiety or apprehension
· Struggles with interpersonal relationships
· Depression and/or Anger
· Low self-esteem
· Feelings of isolation or an inability to connect with others.
Getting help for the family is a crucial component for recovery, particularly for the children of alcoholics. Even if a family is unable to get help for the active alcoholic in their life, they can still get help for themselves. There are a number of self-help groups such as ALANON and ALATEEN that provide needed support for those who struggle with an alcoholic in their life There are also plenty of therapists that specialize in addictions. The best place to start is by calling a medical professional or hospital that offers programs for chemical dependency or alcoholism. They will be able to provide a number of resources or referrals. You can also look in the yellow pages for self-help groups such as AA, ALANON or ALATEEN.
Alcoholism – A Deadly Disease and The Solution
While “cocaine addiction and drug rehab; help for drug addiction” are common searches on the internet today, alcoholism still outranks all other addictions even in today’s drug crazed society. Alcoholism is a terrible disease of addiction. Apart from the physical dependence on alcohol, there are other psychological, genetic and social factors that may play a role in the development of alcoholism. Many social, safety, and economic problems are determined by this serious illness. For example, the divorce rates are higher among those suffering with alcoholism as well as child abuse rates in families where one or more suffer from this disease. Where alcoholism is concerned, symptoms include craving for alcohol, incapacity to control one’s drinking, an increased tolerance to its effects, and withdrawal symptoms during the periods of abstinence.
One should know that many alcoholics deny having a problem at all. In such instances an intervention maybe necessary in order to help them to start treatment. However, the best method of intervention is sometimes as simple as another alcoholic sharing their own story and how they found recovery. This keeps the ego out of the discussion, which lessens the chances of one becoming defensive -which is likely among those who are true alcoholics.
Treatment in cases of alcoholism usually includes detoxification, counseling and most successfully the time tested and proven 12 Steps of AA. One must never confuse the fellowship and meetings of recovery with the 12 Step program of recovery -which are two distinct different aspects. Properly applying the 12 Steps means to go deep with them and by the book. Support meetings are meant to supplement and never replace the 12 Step work itself, which is where true recovery is found.
Alcoholism involves a physical allergy and a mental obsession to alcohol, and it often is progressive in time. There are situations in which it can become fatal, when alcohol consumption begins to interfere with your health, your family and social life and/or your occupation. Yet a true alcoholic is powerless to stop and needs the help of God to overcome this illness. I may hear some ask, “Is this God stuff simply an opinion?” Of course, yet it is the opinion of millions of successfully recovered and recovering addicts world-wide.
To get your questions answered for either yourself or someone you love and care about, please contact a local support group and ask if they are into the solution or if they focus on the problem. The solution is the solution and the most successful groups focus on solution, solution, solution and never very long on the problem. And what is the solution? The 12 Steps and a sponsor who knows, lives, and works them. You may also look for a recovery community or center that is 12 Steps focused because time has shown these are statistically more successful than other methods.