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re: Alcoholism: Why Is It A Disease?
Posted on 6/16/18 at 4:32 pm to EarlyCuyler3
Posted on 6/16/18 at 4:32 pm to EarlyCuyler3
There is a proven genetic component to it. I believe they have already identified the suspect gene or close to declaring it
1
Posted on 6/16/18 at 4:42 pm to TutHillTiger
quote:
Alcoholism is a disease with a known pathology and an established biomolecular signal transduction pathway[43] which culminates in ?FosB overexpression within the D1-type medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens;[43][44][45] when this overexpression occurs, ?FosB induces the addictive state.[43][44][45]
In 2004, the World Health Organisation published a detailed report on alcohol and other psychoactive substances entitled "Neuroscience of psychoactive substance use and dependence".[46] It stated that this was the "first attempt by WHO to provide a comprehensive overview of the biological factors related to substance use and dependence by summarizing the vast amount of knowledge gained in the last 20-30 years. The report highlights the current state of knowledge of the mechanisms of action of different types of psychoactive substances, and explains how the use of these substances can lead to the development of dependence syndrome." The report states that "dependence has not previously been recognized as a disorder of the brain, in the same way that psychiatric and mental illnesses were not previously viewed as being a result of a disorder of the brain. However, with recent advances in neuroscience, it is clear that dependence is as much a disorder of the brain as any other neurological or psychiatric illness."
The American Society of Addiction Medicine and the American Medical Association both maintain extensive policy regarding alcoholism. The American Psychiatric Association recognizes the existence of "alcoholism" as the equivalent of alcohol dependence. The American Hospital Association, the American Public Health Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the American College of Physicians classify "alcoholism" as a disease.
In the US, the National Institutes of Health has a specific institute, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), concerned with the support and conduct of biomedical and behavioral research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. It funds approximately 90 percent of all such research in the United States. The official NIAAA position is that "alcoholism is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious family, health, or legal problems. Like many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning that it lasts a person's lifetime; it usually follows a predictable course; and it has symptoms. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a person's genes and by his or her lifestyle
Wikipedia. And below that is a section on the criticism of the disease concept where the people that say it isn't a disease admit that their data can't prove causation of their point.
They then go on to say that the disease concept hasn't offered any solution. Guess who hasn't read chapter 2 in the big book? After the lengthy criticism, they then proceed to offer no solution of their own while complaining about one that works. Ok, some nice logic there.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 4:52 pm to EarlyCuyler3
I had a buddy that worked on the genome project years ago and I remember him talking about a possible gene or marker linked to it. He was a alcoholic from a family of alcoholics so he had a personal interest.
Maybe it didn’t pan out. He lost his medical license, research privileges etc died of drug abuse years later so I don’t know if it planned out.
More related to addictive personalities not just alcoholism as I recall. That was 20 years ago
Maybe it didn’t pan out. He lost his medical license, research privileges etc died of drug abuse years later so I don’t know if it planned out.
More related to addictive personalities not just alcoholism as I recall. That was 20 years ago
Posted on 6/16/18 at 8:13 pm to EarlyCuyler3
quote:
There aren't different levels. You are or you aren't. It's a disease. I'm sorry you don't agree with accepted 21st century medicine.
I disagree - you are boxing people in.
It's a foreign chemical, a poison, that you put in to your body, willfully.
It's a terrible substance for your body - creating multitudes of other life threatening diseases.
it can own people slowly or quickly.
and it can be hard to stop the desire, and sometimes requiring medical assistance due to withdrawals
It can be stopped by the individual making and sticking to sobriety, sometimes (most times) with others' support.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 8:52 pm to TutHillTiger
If someone has that gene, but is adopted at birth and raised in an environment without alcohol, would they still find a way to drink?
Posted on 6/16/18 at 9:05 pm to Clark W Griswold
I can’t drink responsibly so I don’t drink much at all. Maybe once a year if the situation is right. I find it interesting that most people assume they have to drink. Like being a drinker is the default setting for our society.
What helped cure me from wanting to drink was hanging with drunks while I wasn’t drinking. People after about 5 drinks are the least funny and pathetic creatures on the planet. I was embarrassed for all the times I spent thinking I was being so funny and irreverent when I was just a drunken a-hole.
What helped cure me from wanting to drink was hanging with drunks while I wasn’t drinking. People after about 5 drinks are the least funny and pathetic creatures on the planet. I was embarrassed for all the times I spent thinking I was being so funny and irreverent when I was just a drunken a-hole.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 9:06 pm to Clark W Griswold
Yes. My adoptive father knew I had the gene and never let me see him drink. Mom quit drinking at 22, so there was never any booze in the house. I have struggled with alcoholism since I graduated college. Luckily, I am a high functioning drinker. I am drinking in moderation these days, which makes me feel physically and mentally better.
Like I said earlier, I didn't choose to have the urge to drink, but when I drink, it is a choice I make.
I guess it is like a kleptomaniac, you have the urge to steal, but you have to resist because it is illegal.
Like I said earlier, I didn't choose to have the urge to drink, but when I drink, it is a choice I make.
I guess it is like a kleptomaniac, you have the urge to steal, but you have to resist because it is illegal.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 9:13 pm to liz18lsu
Liz I was a raging alcoholic for almost 15 years. I ruined a 6 year relationship/engagement and hurt countless other people. Despite all of this I had a white collar job that i excelled at. I just got smashed every night.
Honestly having a child that was getting old enough to realize that her dad was a drunk is pretty much the only thing that saved me. I stayed dry for 4 years before I felt like I could trust myself to have 3-4 drinks and stop.
Honestly having a child that was getting old enough to realize that her dad was a drunk is pretty much the only thing that saved me. I stayed dry for 4 years before I felt like I could trust myself to have 3-4 drinks and stop.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 9:19 pm to fallguy_1978
fall, I am the reason my mom quit drinking. I was sober for 2 years when my SO at the time threatened to leave. Currently, I am testing my boundaries and it is going well. I am a binge drinker, always have been. I only have an on/off switch, no middle ground with me on anything.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 9:20 pm to liz18lsu
quote:
I only have an on/off switch, no middle ground with me on anything.
SO DOES MY SEX DOLL.
But she's not a no good alcoholic. And mouthy.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 9:24 pm to BogeyGolf
The way it works is the person decides if they are or aren't on their own. No one else can decide for them. So it may appear like it's boxing someone in, but it really isn't. It's their own choice. And the irony or paradox is that once they choose to accept that box (just using your language to explain), there is more freedom there than they ever thought possible. It shouldn't work or make sense, but it does. It's pretty baffling.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 9:36 pm to liz18lsu
quote:
I was sober for 2 years when my SO at the time threatened to leave
Threatened to leave because you were sober? Sounds like an a-hole.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 9:43 pm to Robin Masters
I have 3 and a half months sober and go to an AA meeting everyday. In the midst of being an alcoholic, you don't realize what you're doing is abnormal. It isn't until you hit a point where you can't take this shite anymore do you quit. I'm lucky that I feel I've already hit that point and don't have to go back to drinking ever again.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 9:44 pm to Robin Masters
I worded that incorrectly. I blame the wine.Posted on 6/16/18 at 9:46 pm to Crop Dusting
quote:
Crop Dusting
Good for you. AA was not something I could get in to, but whatever works, works. I would say
but that seems inappropriate Posted on 6/16/18 at 9:57 pm to Robin Masters
quote:
I find it interesting that most people assume they have to drink. Like being a drinker is the default setting for our society.
I was thinking about this today. More specifically, I have a few more solo days in my favorite town and was thinking about sitting at a bar and writing but I don't want to drink and it would be weird to sit there and drink tea. I guess that's what coffee shops and diners are for.
quote:
What helped cure me from wanting to drink was hanging with drunks while I wasn’t drinking. People after about 5 drinks are the least funny and pathetic creatures on the planet. I was embarrassed for all the times I spent thinking I was being so funny and irreverent when I was just a drunken a-hole.
Yep. There's nothing worse than going to a drunken wedding sober. And as annoying as young people are drunk, it just gets worse with age.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 10:01 pm to EarlyCuyler3
So that works for some and may not work for others. I like the idea of showing the facts of alcohol and it’s poisonous qualities to help improve self control and make better decisions , instead of calling it a disease for life and creating an unnessecary mental tattoo on someone who can in fact stop it. It doesn’t need to own your thoughts forever... train your brain to see alcohol for what it is, ethanol. The rest is marketing.
This naked mind - Annie Grace is a good book showing the chemical for what it is.
This naked mind - Annie Grace is a good book showing the chemical for what it is.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 10:23 pm to BogeyGolf
Maybe it isn't for everyone. It's certainly not a monopoly. I work in the field though and I can't remember a different approach really working for someone. Now I have heard of people finding religion etc. I wouldn't know how that works for them. I have however seen countless people that think they can handle it now show back up time and time again. The disease concept explains that perfectly.
Posted on 6/16/18 at 10:30 pm to McLemore
quote:
Yep. There's nothing worse than going to a drunken wedding sober. And as annoying as young people are drunk, it just gets worse with age.
I would agree. Weddings bring out the stupid like few others.
Posted on 6/17/18 at 12:22 am to Clark W Griswold
quote:
. But when people get addicted to meth or heroin nobody refers to it as a disease. Why is alcoholism a disease?
I went through an outpatient program a few times and met people from all walks of life with different DOC's and other alcoholics. No matter what it was you were there for, you were told that you had a disease.
I don't necessarily agree with the idea that its a disease. Although when you are trying to get help and make a change for the better, I guess it's almost irrelevant (just my opinion).
as long as you actually doing something about your problem instead of going through the motions.
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