Alcoholism; A disease or a behavior?

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

David Hasselhoff is in the news again for his drinking woes and the commentator said it is a disease.

Given the current health care debates and my recent thought of just how overwhelmed the system is going to become when people who typically just deal with their maladies, stoic or stupid, be what reasons they may, suddenly going to the doc every time they burp or fart because it's 'free' and 'more accessible', what about drugs and alcohol? Gotta treat that too, right?

So...

[luckystar (Premo)]

Poor behavior that leads to disease (delerium tremens, and other similar alcohol withdrawal symptoms as well as cirrhosis and/or fatty liver, among MANY other medical complications).

It's certainly not something you catch, but it can be developed like a lot of other diseases. Also like a lot of other developed diseases, it's entirely preventable. You just have no nip stupid in the bud before you get there. Or get psychiatric treatment.

[Fishn Guy]

I was told it was because I was a ####ing #######... so I voted behavior

[cattitude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by luckystar

Poor behavior that leads to disease (delerium tremens, and other similar alcohol withdrawal symptoms as well as cirrhosis and/or fatty liver, among MANY other medical complications).

It's certainly not something you catch, but it can be developed like a lot of other diseases. Also like a lot of other developed diseases, it's entirely preventable. You just have no nip stupid in the bud before you get there. Or get psychiatric treatment.

Good post..and pretty much my opinion.

[morningbell (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Fishn Guy

I was told it was because I was a ####ing #######... so I voted behavior

No, you're mistaken, it's instant #######, add alcohol
Do you drink b/c you're a jerk or are you just a jerk when you drink?

I agree with LS, a preventable behavior that can become a disease.

[Fishn Guy]

Originally Posted by morningbell

No, you're mistaken, it's instant #######, add alcohol
Do you drink b/c you're a jerk or are you just a jerk when you drink?

I agree with LS, a preventable behavior that can become a disease.

I drink to suppress my upper functioning brain.. It helps me deal with the ####in lowlives I run into and deal with on a day to day basis. Depressing myself makes me your equal, so to speak.

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

David Hasselhoff is in the news again for his drinking woes and the commentator said it is a disease.

Given the current health care debates and my recent thought of just how overwhelmed the system is going to become when people who typically just deal with their maladies, stoic or stupid, be what reasons they may, suddenly going to the doc every time they burp or fart because it's 'free' and 'more accessible', what about drugs and alcohol? Gotta treat that too, right?

So...

I believe it's about 6 of one and half dozen of the other. It's a proven fact that children of alcoholic parents are more likely to become alcoholic themselves or to be attracted to alcoholics. Whether this is due to a learned behavior pattern stemming from early childhood or genetics is unclear. Some people have naturally addictive personalities and simply cannot say no to their addictions. Other people cannot cope with the world around them (which is another disease/disorder) and their method of treating the illness is to self medicate.

That being said, I believe it also denotes a weakness of character when someone cannot control themselves when using legal mind-altering substances.

Like nicotine addiction, the body can develop a dependency on the alcohol which can cause symptoms upon withdrawal.

Is it something I think our healthcare system should be treating exclusively as a disease? No. The high relapse rate would indicate that it's not a sound investment based on the current treatments available. Ultimately, if a person chooses to quit drinking, they will quit drinking. If they choose to continue drinking, thinking they have control of their impulsive urges, and it turns out they lack the self control to drink responsibly, it is not something a health insurance should have to pay for.

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by morningbell

I agree with LS, a preventable behavior that can lead to a disease.

:fixed:

Like liver damage and brain dysfunction.

Addictive behaviors are just that - behaviors. When you go to AA or any other rehab type of environment, they treat the behavior, not your body (unless you're in DTs or something).

[libertytyranny]

I am so sick of everything being medicalized. Alcoholism is not a disease. No one makes you drink, no one makes you keep drinking. ANy more that a heroine addict has a disease. Medicalizing things like drug and alcohol abuse is very dangerous in my view. It gives people an excuse to not own their own behavior. This is one of the reaons I do not agree with 12 step type programs. though they have good elements..addicts are essentially taught that they are sick..that they can't help it..that they will be "sick" all their lives and they have to manage it..much like diabetes. Problem is..addiction is nothing like diabetes. Addiction is a matter of pure will. People with diabetes cannot simply will their body to produce insulin. it is a ridiculous comparison. Addicts are people who through no one's fault but their own made bad decsions and drank to excess...or snorted coke...or shot up or what have you. lets call addicts what they really are..weak willed people who let their vices take ahold of them. if they stop doing coke, alcohol whatever..they will no longer be addicts and life will be fine. The psych ward is full of old crusty drunks who go there for free "anxiety" medication..then go out take their pills and drink..all cuz you can bill insurance companies under the diagnosis of "alcohol dependence"

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by libertytyranny

It gives people an excuse to not own their own behavior.

I agree with this. But the 12-step program is all about owning your behavior.