re: Alcoholism: Why Is It A Disease?

quote:

---

But to your point, you're never "normal" again. Normal is a setting on the dishwasher. Doesn't exist in nature.

---

If you have 6 fingers on your left hand is that normal or abnormal?

I don’t get your point at all and it seems like you are just lashing out in a v sad way

quote:

---

There's never going to be a clear cut answer in my opinion. It's too complicated. The disease concepts works when applied properly and that's good enough for me.

---

That's a fair take.

Outside of the fact that I see issues with the underlying concept on addiction as a disease, I don't like the disease model that says this is purely biological and it will be this way forever. It can take away a certain level of control that the person has from being proactive about their situation and makes them reliant on institutions and doctors and counselors to fix their behavior. It also focuses too much on the biological, when in almost every case I have ever seen, the root is emotional and relational.

I have a family member who is in the midst of a drug addiction, and their attitude seems to be very much of the mindset that because they are an addict it means that they were biologically predetermined to be an addict and that its a disease that can't be treated. They live with a certain level of fatalism because they see it as a disease. I have dealt with a lot of other men who have struggled with addiction and I think the mindset matters when it comes to a change from unhealthy behavior.

quote:

---

I don't like the disease model that says this is purely biological and it will be this way forever.

---

It definitely doesn't say that. Sorry to hear about your family member. There is very real and very definite responsibility on the person affected. Doesn't abdicate them from anything. It just opens up an option to treat it.

The Doctor's Opinion

That's where it comes from. The original source. Check it out. It definitely doesn't let anyone off the hook.

K

quote:

---

The Doctor’s Opinion

---

Truth.

Glossed through it... Many of the general concepts for wellness I agree with - healthy relationships are an important part of breaking addiction.

If it is purely a biological disease, then why do most addicts recover (approx. 75% for alcoholics) and many who do so, do it without formal treatment? Most people don't realize those simple facts, and think of it as a disease synonymous with an HIV diagnosis (relegated to a lifetime of sickness) - which is not helpful for the person battling that addiction.

Bro it ain’t a disease get over yourself

The problem is that some people can handle it. Let's not use heroin but instead alcohol. Some people can drink socially. Some lose control. If you've never drank, how do you know if you're going to be an alcoholic or not?