Alcoholism...... Disease or Behavior Choice?

[2QUICK2B6]

i dont believe its a disease i believe its a result of lack of self control. the lack of self control is a disorder... it could be anything...sex, drugs, alcohol, gambling, eating...

Best description I drink does that mean im an alky ? I have sex does that mean im a porn star ? I gamble does that mean i have a problem ?

 

[Dr.drivability]

I still say it starts with a decision and ends with a disease. WAKE UP W/ THE SHAKES, SCARRY!!! I know some of you tough guys say it's your fault four getting started, but, (my new favorite saying) It is what it is. You gotta figure out where to go from here!! I bought a dog!!!!

 

[sugarandopium]

DISEASE. It begins as a behavior choice, but unfortunately, it often transforms into a disease (addiction) for which there is no "real" cure...

Claude.

Truth.

 

[Pronto]

Addiction is a disease of the mind. Unfortunately people don't believe issues with the brain are the same as with other parts of the body. Somehow you are supposed to work your way out of the disease on your own because it's "all in your mind". Listen to the words- "I can control how much I drink", "I can stop any time I want", " never missed a day at work", "don't hit my wife" etc. Just the start of the slippery slope downward. Deep inside they know they are heading for trouble but at some point they will not be able to control what they think they can now. Once the brain has come to that point it's become diseased. The disease takes over. Some people can recover from that point but many never do. The first step is recognizing you have a problem, hopefully before it gets to the disease point.

 

[t-topflyer]

As far as medications go, Campral, Revia, Vivitrol, Antabuse are all specifically indicated in the treatment/management of the disease of alcoholism. Vitamins, benzodiazepines, clonidine, certain anticonvulsants and many others are used in the initial detoxification. Antidepressants, antipsychotics are also used in the management although not specifically indicated.

In general it starts out as a choice in someone with vulnerability (someone that's wired wrong/genetic predisposition) and ends up a disease. Fortunately it is becoming an increasingly treatable one as more people become educated about it and with advancements in medicine and cognitive behavioral therapy as well as the tried and true recovery support groups such as AA. A good book to read on addiction in general right now that is up on the latest advancements in this area is "Healing the Addicted Brain."

To the ones that argue that it's not a disease, what about depression? Is that a matter of self-control? Can you just decide to not be depressed today? Or....could it have a genetic component/predisposition where someone's body doesn't secrete enough serotonin or norepinephrine that allows them to not be depressed and therefore they need medication and therapy to help manage their condition? Or what about diabetes, is that a self-control issue? Did they choose to eat too many of the wrong kinds of foods when they were younger, used up all their body's supply of insulin and now that they are older they have developed diabetes that must be treated with medications? Would you argue that this is not a disease eventhough other people may have eaten or eat the same way and don't develop this condition? And what about those with juvenile onset diabetes? Is that a choice or a disease?........you see just because someone makes some poor/unhealthy choices in their lives doesn't mean they don't have a disease.

 

[just plain john]

The term 'alcoholic' is purely subjective. I sometimes drink a beer when I get home from work. Maybe every day, maybe not for weeks at a time. I've often heard if you drink every day you are an alcoholic. Bull shat. If your purpose in life is to remain drunk, then yes, you are an alcoholic IMO. The thing is, who's place is it to make the designation? You might think a beer a day qualifies, but I don't. Who's right?

 

[8UWITH6]

Who cares, everybody should mind their own business! :biggrin::tongue:

Man, this beer is good tonight. I feel the disease getting stronger inside of me!:rolleye:

 

[t-topflyer]

Actually since an 1988 supreme court ruling, Alcoholism was ruled NOT a disease. Which is quite ironic because the courts still make you go to AA. Like I stated before an Addiction is a voluntary behavior AND you can't classify a voluntary behavior as a disease. It's all about taking control of your live. Also a fun fact, In 1994 the FDA also approved a drug called Naltrexone that was designed to reduce the need to drink and kill your buzz, but because of the AA cult. The drug is almost never prescribed to patients.

Addiction is NOT a voluntary behavior Drinking and smoking are voluntary behaviors but no one voluntarily becomes an addict. Someone may voluntarily do an act such as drinking, smoking, eating too much, having lots of unprotected sex etc, that may result in a flare up of the disease of addiction they have though.

Also, smoking is NOT a disease just like drinking is NOT a disease, just like eating is NOT a disease but addiction to any of these can be and they are all treatable like most any other disease.

Lifestyle choices can aggravate the disease. So in the end it's a bit of both a choice and a disease. The choices a person makes can aggravate the disease they are predisposed to. Some are more vulnerable than others to the effects of the choices they make.

It's interesting to read what the majority of people think about this whole topic and to witness that there is still a great deal of misunderstanding about the whole issue, but alcoholism itself is a disease........the choices one makes to get there are just that......choices,....and some are at greater risk than others to the consequences of their life choices....that's the disease part that is treatable that they may have little to no control over without outside help anyway.

Interesting read here though........looking forward to the next installment........

 

[Pronto]

Who cares, everybody should mind their own business! :biggrin::tongue:

Until you drive drunk with your kid in the car.
Oh, I'm sure the response to that will the be typical alcoholic denial, "I'ld never do that. I'm responsible." Ya, so was my father-in-law when he drove threw a glass garage door picking up his brand new Cadillac.

As far as how much and often you drink it can be alittle or alot but you still can be alcoholic. My brother-in-law's mother is bing drinker. She'll go for months without drinking then go a week long bender ending up in a gutter. My wife's father on the other hand woke up with a swig of booze from a paint can in the basement, had a liquid lunch and drank all night. Both are alcoholics in their early 80s. Both with sever health issues. My father-in-law did quit but I'm positive if he had one little swig of beer he'ld be back to a raging alcoholic in days.

 

[8UWITH6]

Until you drive drunk with your kid in the car.
Oh, I'm sure the response to that will the be typical alcoholic denial, "I'ld never do that. I'm responsible." Ya, so was my father-in-law when he drove threw a glass garage door picking up his brand new Cadillac.

No, your right I would never do that, Id let my kid drive first! LOL Im sorry your father-in-law messed up his new Caddy.

 

[Pronto]

There you go, alcoholic in denial. Sorry for you kid.

 

[alwayscode390]

Everyone I know with an addiction has an ADDICTIVE PERSONALITY.

They all do EVERYTHING in excess ... if it feels good to eat 1 donut, why not eat 5?! ---

 

[Dr.drivability]

Everyone I know with an addiction has an ADDICTIVE PERSONALITY.

They all do EVERYTHING in excess ... if it feels good to eat 1 donut, why not eat 5?! ---

I don't know if I agree or not. I started smoking at 15 and quit at 18 when I joined the army w/ no problems. Started chewing tobaco at 19, was 30 when I quit. Started drinking hard at 20 quit at 37. Last 2 serious mother fu##ers to put down. I looked in the mirror and asked self if I wanted to die or not? Probably caused serious damage "it is what it is"!!

 

[John Wilde]

Guys,

Drinking and Driving is a passionate subject, lets try
and respect everyone's opinions with out name calling.
Thank you and Happy Holidays.

 

[JOHNDEEREGN]

Guys,

Drinking and Driving is a passionate subject, lets try
and respect everyone's opinions with out name calling.
Thank you and Happy Holidays.

Thanks John, I can see both sides of the story, but until we have all walked in another mans shoes it is tough to throw stones.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all.

Ty

 

[8UWITH6]

Wow, sorry gentlemen. Thought we were all adults here. I didnt mean to name-call anyone, just voicing my opinion and "fighting back" at people who like to associate certain behaviors with "bad people". Who gives people the right to judge or make comments about people that they dont even know based on a few opinions and beliefs? I know it happens everyday but come on, lets have some un-common sense here folks!

So, if I am the one that went too far with name-calling, I apologize, I guess. Ill try not to be so passionate when somebody that doesnt even know me is calling ME (or anybody else for that matter) an alcoholic and involving family members and making assumptions. That to me, is far more abusive than calling someone an poop head (edited for 5 yr old's). I was trying to lighten up things by making a joking comment that was taken wayyyy to seriously.

Thanks for the PM John, happy holidays everyone, Ill stick to threads with Buick's from now on. I wish they had a smilies icon with both middle fingers in the air! Outta here!

 

[Pronto]

Well, people that have experience dealing with alcoholics are aware of the signs. Certain words, reponses or behaviors are like alarm bells ringing. Alcoholics are expert at denial and lying. Nobody choses to be an alcoholic. It's happens to good people as well as bad ones. If you or loved ones see the signs and look for help there is a good chance of stopping before something terrible happens. Public service anouncement over. I'm unsubscribing to this thread now since it's going nowhere.

 

[GNBRETT]

Well, it seems as tho most of the members feel it's a choice at some point and an addiction at another that can turn into a disease.

I guess how one defines what it actually does to a human being will be different from one person to the next.

About a 100 or so people voted and it seemed like about 70% voted it's a choice.

 

[GlockandRoll]

Diseases are treated with medications. If a specific medication was developed and given to an alcoholic and was able to rid alcohol from his life then I would entertain it as a disease but would still simply lean towards an addiction of choice.

Absent that, I still believe it's a lifestyle choice. Alcohol is a depressant. So many turn to alky for reasons other then a genetic receptor in their brain. Most all drink for one reason only and that's too get high or buzzed! Lyme DISEASE dosen't make you high or buzzed and you cannot rid it without medication. There are even medication to block receptors in the brain for smokers that seems to help them stop smoking.

There are as many smokers as alcoholics but I don't see the ADA classifying smoking as a disease. Smoking is more unhealthy then drinkning imo and just as hard to kick. Neither will kill you if you stopped cold turkey. And yes, u still have to purchase Beer or smokes and wilfully ingest it into ur body. Disease? It still doesn't appear so to me.

I think you mistakenly assume my calling ones choosing to drink, a disease, when that is not the point I am trying to make.

The disease is a brain disorder, you did not read what I posted.. they have clearly identified the A1 allele of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene, normal people have an A2 allele.
ALCOHOLICS WITH THE DOPAMINE RECEPTOR DRD2 A1 ALLELE HAVE LOWER PLATELET MONOAMINE OXIDASE-B ACTIVITY THAN THOSE WITH THE A2 ALLELE: A PRELIMINARY STUDY -- Eriksson et al. 35 (5): 493 -- Alcohol and Alcoholism

Do some research on the biogenic amine endorphin system, and the chemical messengers that basically control all aspects of your brian function.

This should be an easy read for a non-medical person such as your or I.
Dopamine receptor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[GNBRETT]

I understand ur opinion a little clearer now. Thanx