| There remains much debate around the issue of | | | | substance abuse, whether alcohol, nicotine or narcotics. |
| alcoholism as a disease. The side of the debate you | | | | If such a gene is discovered, it may confirm alcoholism |
| are on probably depends on whether or not you or | | | | as an organic disease. This means it is a latent |
| someone you know is an alcoholic. If you have lived | | | | disorder that an individual is born with, is triggered later |
| with an alcoholic, you probably believe alcoholism is a | | | | in life and develops into a disease. |
| disease. If you have had little exposure to alcoholism, | | | | Opponents of alcoholism as a disease often site the |
| you may view it simply as a personal choice to drink | | | | role of environment in alcohol dependency. Two |
| too much alcohol. You group alcoholism with other | | | | children grow up in an alcoholic family. Assume similar |
| excessive behaviors. | | | | genetics. One child never takes a sip of alcohol. The |
| For the most part, the medical community treats | | | | other becomes an alcoholic like her mother. Can |
| alcoholism as a disease. In fact, alcoholism is | | | | alcoholism be considered a disease when personal |
| categorized as a chronic and progressive disease. It | | | | conduct and choice is the first step toward deciding to |
| can progress to a point of fatality. Alcoholics die as a | | | | take a drink or not take a drink? The debate is likely to |
| result of vehicular accidents, alcohol poisoning, and liver | | | | continue into the foreseeable future. |
| disease among other complications. | | | | Whether it is a mental obsession or a physical need, |
| Alcoholism is basically defined as an obsession that | | | | alcoholism disease is very much a part of our culture |
| evolves into an uncontrollable compulsion for alcohol. | | | | today. If fact, we now regulate the behavior of |
| There are physical symptoms that help define | | | | individuals who have too much to drink. There are laws |
| alcoholism as a disease. Keep in mind that alcoholism is | | | | that prohibit individuals impaired by alcohol from driving. |
| considered a family disease because it impacts | | | | Most companies have policies against alcohol |
| everyone living with the alcoholic. This is not a disease | | | | consumption during work hours, including business |
| that causes pain only to the "patient". It causes pain | | | | lunches. You can be arrested for public intoxication. |
| and other symptoms such as depression in everyone | | | | These "rules" appear to support the theory of |
| who loves the alcoholic. | | | | alcoholism as a personal conduct issue rather than |
| Studies are being conducted to determine if an actual | | | | disease. You decide. |
| addictive gene exists that predisposes individuals to | | | | |