Question by denveryay: How is it possible to absolutely categorize Alcoholim as a disease and not an illness?
“Disease” is a very loosely defined term in many respects. There are multiple disorders, infenctions, and symptoms that can be typical of a definable disease. Also, a disease must have specific and constant cause(s), which in the case of Alcoholism is the CHOICE to drink ethyl-alcohol. The cause of the “disease” is the recurring and disregarding CHOICE to drink. A choice, however pathological or illogical, doesn’t seem to be appropriate as a cause or a condition of any disease. Despite the negative psychological, physiological, and other results of long-term alcohol abuse, it seems that it shouldn’t be classified as anything more than a treatable mental disorder.

“Illness, although often used to mean disease, can also refer to a person’s perception of their health, regardless of whether they in fact have a disease. A person without any disease may feel unhealthy and believe he has an illness. Another person may feel healthy and believe he does not have an illness even though he may have a disease” – Wikipedia on ‘Disease’

It is true that if some Alcoholics didn’t have a disease to blame for their disorder, they would not be able to stop drinking. It is also true that because of Alcholism-as-a-disease, many people who ABUSE alcohol are led into misperceptions about their drinking habits. In fact, it is only alcohol DEPENDENCE that could possibly even begin to be categorized as a disease.

An individual who is alcohol-dependent exhibits behavior indicitive of addiction. Drink-seeking, withdrawal and tolerance, and psychological malfunction among others are the results and symptoms of addiction. My father and friends have struggled with alchohol and drug addictions and I have seen the both successful and unsuccessful treatments implemented in their lives.

It seems that Alcoholism and drug addictions are psychological disorders that in a vast majority of instances could be cured by a conscious choice (however difficult) to STOP using the cause of the addiction. It has been proven in many instances that an addict can stop using the object of their addiction without any complications, as long as they are commited to quitting.

It seems that diseases should only be those such as Cancer, Diabetes, Hepatitis and the like. People who have these diseases cannot make a choice to simply stop a behavior to ease their pains. Whereas, although undoubtedly difficult, an addict can ease his or her addiction by making a powerful choice to stop using.

By allowing alcoholism to be categorized as a disease, it seems that negative stigma is removed from addicts’ behaviors and people who drink are given an excuse to justify their behavior. Instead of feeling like they’ve let themselves and their families down, they are able to blam their behavior on a cause outside of their control, which is simply not true.

“Neither the U.S. Veterans Administration nor the Social Security Administration makes payments to individuals, whose disabilities stem from substance abuse, including alcoholism.” – From Shoutwire

I am NOT pro- or anti- any of this I am looking for factual objective evidence and ideas that could lead to helping me understand why Alchoholism is given reprieve by its disease classification.

Best answer:

Answer by kentuckyredhead5353
Well about half way through I had a problem and I developed this question. What is the difference with what you were saying in comparison to a cigarette smoker for some it’s the habit and the motion and some get physically sick for the lack of nicotine is it not similar. emotional vs physical and different for different personality types? 🙂 Guess I could read on have a good one:-)
OK I’m finally done now i get it, it’s all in there head so all they have to do is get it out of their head and it will all go away. They just will it away. Take 2 aspirins have a sucker and call me in the morning:-)
oh excuse me revision: update-read the last part. it was taken out as a disease because social security was being drained by leagal alcoholics that the government makes good taxes off of. The only help and recourse for a recovering alcoholic, drug user, vet, is a mental health clinic because why did they drink in the first place. Now uncle sam pays for their drugs and kills them off with a lousy health plan. looks who is on all the class action suits that will never collect anything. Trust me I have done my homework on this subject. I know many vets and low income disabled people. Nothing has changed but the name of the disease.

What do you think? Answer below!

by floodllama

Alcohol detox centres provide a safe and structured environment in which to under treatment for alcohol related issues.

As society and pressures in daily lifestyles change for an ever growing population, more and more people are turning to alcohol in a bid to relax and take their minds off their problems. For many people, what starts off as a harmless drink or two in the evening can progress into a drink problem.

For some people, they suddenly find that they are unable to stop drinking on their own and so turn to the help of an alcohol detox centres. These centres are able to offer all the help and support needed for anyone wishing to stop drinking but unable to do so without the medical and emotional support of alcohol detox centres.

There are a number of alcohol detox centres spread up and down the country and all offer various degrees of accommodation, facilities, length of time for a treatment programme but fundamentally, they all offer the chance to help you stop drinking once and for all.

Most alcohol detox centres offer a detox programme which usually lasts between 7 to 14 days depending on the severity of the alcohol related issue. The alcohol detox centres tend of have staff on hand 24/7 during a detox programme as withdrawing from alcohol can have risks and medical supervision is highly recommended.

Alcohol detox centres offer medication to the client so that they can withdraw from alcohol in a comfortable and safe environment. For some people with a drink problem, it can be dangerous to try and stop drinking without any medical support or supervision. Some of the risks involved are fits, shakes, vomiting etc.

Some alcohol detox centres focus purely on a short-term stay based on the client purely undergoing a detox from alcohol. Others offer a detox programme followed by the option of undergoing a treatment programme over the course of 28 days and up to 3 months. These programmes are designed to help you withdraw from alcohol initially and then undergo treatment with highly qualified counsellors and therapists to help you stay off alcohol for good.

Of course, its all dependent on what is the right treatment for you but whether you decide to stay on to do a treatment programme, a detox programme initially at alcohol detox centres is the first step to helping you with any alcohol related issues.

Alcohol addiction recovery has been a elusive issue for people grappling with this problem. Though there are counselors, alcohol rehabs and many other treatments available, nothing seems to help the alcoholic persons. Alcohol is a social menace which has devastated many lives and severed even blood bonds. Once caught in the grip of this liquid, people find it next impossible to stop drinking. They crave for whisky several times in a day and when stopped, they become violent and sabotage everything they have at hand. Sometimes their frustration drives them to take extreme step – suicide. There are instances when alcoholic person failed to withstand the craving and end his life to escape humiliation.

Where everything fails, prayer works. Energy medicine provides reliable alcohol addiction recovery program. No medicine to take, no shock therapy, no abstinence and no living in rehabilitation center. Energy medicine has helped over thirty thousand alcohol addicts from returning back to their normal life, free of alcohol obviously. If the stories of people treated with energy medicine are to be believed then the world has a sure way to treat alcohol addiction. The new way to liberty from alcohol is reliable, cost effective and doesn’t require the addicted person to remain under supervision.

The energy medicine doctor examines the alcoholic person both from inside and outside and then starts his treatment which is counseling. The energy doctor with the help of his special abilities detects the problem area and tells the patient about all that is happening within the patient’s body. This is a unique alcohol addiction recovery program in which the patient is made to understand what is good for his health and why he should abstain from the golden liquid which is called alcohol. Looking at the number of people benefitted from energy treatment, there remains little doubt that it can help people get rid of alcohol.

Medical science has also acknowledged the advantage of energy treatment. There are doctors who substantiate the claim made by energy doctors. They recommend this treatment to their patients. Energy treatment is becoming popular day by day. Alcohol has people of all ages in its strong grip. Men and women, young and adult and even elderly and old are fighting with alcohol. Now with the help of energy alcohol addiction recovery, it is easy for people to stop drinking alcohol. They can discover the energy within their body hence no need to rely on any external source for feeling empowered.

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It is said, “If it can’t be treated at a treatment center of alcoholism, it cannot be treated anywhere else”, and if you are wondering the reason behind such a compressive statement, read on.

Alcohol abuse is perhaps the most deceptive form of addiction as the addict usually fails to comprehend the development of a grave issue when they cross the threshold limit of “mild drinking” and enter the precarious maze of addiction. The change is so gradual that the addicts really believe that there is absolutely nothing wrong with their drinking pattern. Hence, it is safe to say that alcohol a slow poison that makes it extremely difficult for people to judge whether or not they need help.

As the habit of alcoholism and drug abuse continues to take center stage in a growing number of families and individuals, the decision to seek professional help comes in as a ray of light for both the addict as well as their family; this is where the alcoholism treatment center comes into the frame.

To help addicts overcome their addictions, leading treatment centers follow a simple three step procedure, which is considered to be an ideal and upheld way to cure the habit of alcoholism and drug abuse.

1. Detox

2. Counseling

3. Aftercare

Each of these steps is a proven method used to cure addicts both mentally and physically so that they can lead a normal and peaceful life. Detox is the stage that plays an imperative role in persuading the patient in giving up alcohol. When admitted, the addict is deprived of alcohol and is asked to withdraw completely. This can be an extremely challenging time for the patient who has a habit of heavy drinking as the withdrawal symptoms can be unbearably painful. The detox may take from a few days to even months depending on the criticality of the case.

The next stage is counseling. During this phase, individual sessions are arranged for patients to communicate with experts and share their anxiety freely. This process is arranged to improve mental health and stability of the patient by prescribing and discussing the ways that can help them abstain from alcohol and drugs for longest time.

After completing the aforementioned steps, though the individual is deemed fit for the outside world, the need for apt aftercare is always there. This phase can be more demanding than the rest as there is always a reasonable possibility of the patient getting drawn back to their old habits. This is the reason alcoholism treatment centers conduct follow-up sessions.

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