Alcohol Abuse Advice

Is Alcohol Addiction Really A Disease

Many people have raised this question over the years; is alcohol addiction really a disease and should those who believe they need help seek alcohol addiction treatment? Every year, over 25 million people are affected with this illness and over the past decade, youth as young as 12 and 13 years old have been seriously affected. Some of these kids have even been given a dual diagnosis of alcohol addiction and a mental illness, often times depression. If alcoholism is not a disease, then what is it? Yes, alcoholism or an addiction to alcohol is a disease and should be treated seriously and with addiction treatment. To take this dreaded illness lightly may allow someone to ruin their own life, their family’s life and the life of everyone around them. This is a true battle, whether combined with a dual diagnosis or not, and the person involved should be convinced to get alcohol addiction treatment. This disease should not be taken lightly. For everyone involved, this can be the most challenging moments in a person’s life especially when the alcoholic is being pressed to seek addiction treatment. Facing themselves and truly understanding that they probably are an alcoholic is a rude awakening for most people who believe that they are “social drinkers” or just drink to relax themselves. Denial by people who have a habit of drinking continually is one of the signs that they may need alcohol addiction treatment. Addiction treatment for either a dual diagnosis, which constitutes nearly 50% of addicts, or for solely alcohol addiction, is vitally important to pursue. This is a battle that unfortunately many fight and the patient needs to be very strong mentally to fully win this war. The habit they’ve acquired has probably grown over a period of years and habits are difficult to break. Add to that a psychological as well as physiological dependence on alcohol and you can surely understand why very few succeed without alcohol addition treatment. Not only will the person suffering from this dreaded disease need professional help, but encouragement and love from their family and friends. Their support will be a big help in determining if the alcoholic ever fully recovers.