How Exactly Is Alcoholism (And Drug Abuse for That Matter) Considered a Disease?

Question by shipit67: How exactly is alcoholism (and drug abuse for that matter) considered a disease?
My dad is a piece of crap alcoholic. The alcoholics anonymous “Big Book” compares alcoholism to an allergy and an illness. Am I the only one who is saying “huh?!” You have to DRINK in order to become an alcoholic, whereas contracting most forms of illness, (with the exception of STD’s, lung cancer induced from smoking, etc.) are contracted through no fault of the person stricken with the illness. My dad didn’t have to start drinking, he chose to.

Best answer:

Answer by bt
there are many people who drink alcohol, and a small percent are actually alcoholics. if your dad never drank, you’re right, he couldn’t be an alcholic. it seems that some people are more genetically predisposed to becoming addicted to alcohol (think about that for your future). it becomes an issue when someone actually becomes dependent on alcohol, meaning that they have withdrawal symptoms when they go without alcohol. the best thing you can be is supportive, especially if he’s trying to stop. that can be very hard to do. good luck.

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Binge Drinking Contributes to Many Illnesses Says the CDC
Filed under: alcoholism is a disease

Binge drinking The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently said that binge drinking contributes to many different illnesses. This announcement comes after the CDC stated that 38 million people in the United States drink too much …
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