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 1956 (Wilbanks 39). Alcoholism by definition is an illness characterized by preoccupation with alcohol and a loss of control over its consumption, such as to lead usually to intoxication if drinking; by progression, and by a tendency towards relapse (Wilbanks 39). It is typically associated with physical disabilities and impaired emotional, occupational, and social adjustment as a direct consequence of persistent excessive use (Langone 27). The American Medical Association's finding, gave alcoholics a chance to receive help on a hospital like any person with a "real" disease. Also, the use of the term "loss of control" makes it seem as if the alcoholic has no free.
             After labeling alcoholism a disease the AMA ...