Essay on Should Alcoholism Be Considered a Disease

Should Alcoholism Be Considered a Disease? Many articles have been written which ask the question: Is alcoholism a disease or not? We will look at both sides of this issue, see what the experts have to say and come to realize that alcoholism should be considered a disease. In 1849, Swedish physician, Dr. Magnus Huss coined the term â€Å"alcoholism† to describe a diseased condition caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. Also in 1849, a French doctoral candidate, M.Gabriel, first used the term in its modern sense, as a disease which causes one to lose control over his/her intake of alcohol, leading to excessive use of alcohol, what we now call addiction ( Keller Doria,1991). Kishline (1994, p.105) challenges the disease theory of†¦show more content†¦This work was discussed and summarized in a book titled. The Disease Concept of Alcoholism, by E.M.Jellinek, published in 1960. Sufferers of this disease often drink until intoxicated, on a daily basis, causing all s orts on health problems. Cirrhosis of the liver, brain damage, and organ failure are just a few of the effects of this disease of the body and mind called alcoholism. Fingarette’s (1988) position is that no leading research authorities accept the disease concept of alcoholism (p.4). The experts say the disease concept is â€Å"old and biased†, a model whose suggestions are invalid. But, the basic text of Alcoholics Anonymous (2001) states that not only does alcoholism affect the mind, but the body as well (xxvi). In a letter written to Alcoholics Anonymous, Dr.William D.Silkworth, a well known chief physician at a nationally prominent hospital that specialized in treating alcoholism and drug addiction, state that â€Å"the action of alcohol on chronic alcoholics is a manifestation of an allergy called â€Å"the phenomenon of craving† (Alcoholics Anonymous,2001,p.xxviii). Some may believe that alcoholism is just a matter of self control or self will, but we ha ve shown that it takes much more than the unaided will to arrest this sometimes fatal disease Many have suffered the effects of alcoholism and can attest to the fact that it is a disease. Some can remember drinking until passed out, the trouble they caused themselves and others whileShow MoreRelatedAlcoholism : The Misuse And Addiction1361 Words   |  6 PagesAlcoholism: The Misuse and Addiction â€Å"I know my limit†, â€Å"Just one more drink†, and â€Å"I’m not drunk† are common phrases people often associate with being an alcoholic. While is true that some alcoholics can use such phrases, that is not what makes them an alcoholic. Alcoholics or rather anyone who happens to drink a little too much, are marked as being alcoholics. But what does it really mean to be an alcoholic? Or better yet, what does it mean to suffer from Alcoholism? 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