Alcohol
The theory of alcoholism as a disease has always mystified me. I chose this theory based on the fact that I do not believe that alcoholism is a disease. In my opinion alcoholism is an addiction brought about uncontrollable drinking. A human being has the right to drink or not. An alcoholic is someone who chooses to drink. A disease I think not; an addiction, most definitely. Before researching this paper I had a confused idea that alcoholism was a disease. A "disease" brings out a concept that society feels pity for the alcoholic. An implication of the disease concept is that what is held to be a "disease" is an involuntary condition. Drinking is a habit that may eventually cause alcoholism. The choice to drink or not is a personal one. An alcoholic causes may of their own problems by their behavior and the decisions they make, so why should they be viewed as a victim of a "disease"(Skipper 1)?The word disease by definition is "a consequence of infection, inherent weakness, or environmental stress, that impairs normal physiological functioning" (Houghton 404). The word addiction by definition is "to give habitually or compulsively" (Houghton 78).The American Medical Association (AMA) classified alcoholism as a disease in 19
Their choices led them to the life they lead, and they should take responsibility for those actions. Prevention against alcohol abuse should start at an early age. In conclusion, society and alcoholics have been misled by the AMA's classification that alcoholism is a disease. However, the studies also show that 82% of children of alcoholics do not become one themselves (Claypool 23). More research is being done to determine if genetic factors account for becoming an alcoholic. We also allow pregnant women to drink. If alcoholism were really a disease wouldn't there be some sign or symptoms like other diseases have? After all there is no typical behavior pattern among alcoholics. They choose to pour alcohol down their throats in an effort to make themselves "feel better". However, these studies have not yet proven that alcoholism is based on genetics. Also, the use of the term "loss of control" makes it seem as if the alcoholic has no free. Alcoholics should not have the right to government assistance, at the cost of the taxpayers. This is a good reason why more murders occur on a Saturday night than on any other night of the week (Goodwin 16). After labeling alcoholism a disease the AMA made a huge error when it said the people lose control over the consumption of alcohol.
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