Question 1

can you please explain why alcoholism is a disease and other addictions are just addictions?

Accepted Answer

Complex Diseases: All are complex chronic diseases, not just the disease of alcoholism. Alcohol is just another drug. Like most chronic disease, addiction has genetic and environmental factors; requires lifestyle modifications commitment, finding the best treatment and avoiding that which makes the individual vulnerable to his disease. True for addiction, diabetes, high cholesterol. Promise of health, hope--awaits.

Question 2

is alcoholism a disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is recognized as a disease by the World Heath Organization, the American Medical Association, and the federal government.

Question 3

what diseases does alcoholism cause?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholism causes: chronic damage to lots of systems, the most notable are kidney and liver--those being the two systems most engaged in eliminating the toxic substances that ethanol becomes (acetaldehyde to acetic acid to acetyl-CoA.).   Permanent brain damage (Korsakov's syndrome) can result from chronic exposure to ethanol and its nor-metabolites.   Let the body deal with its own ethanol from natural digestion...

Question 4

help please! is alcoholism a disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders fourth addition text revision or dsm-iv tr codes both alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence as mental diseases.  Twelve step programs such as alcoholics anonymous also embrace the disease model.  There are many effective programs and therapies to help people recover from alcoholism.

Question 5

can you tell me if alcoholism is a disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is ...: Just like diabetes and many other conditions, a person can develop alcoholism either because it runs in their family, or because they are exposed to other people, situations or environments that lead them to develop unhealthy behaviors.

Question 6

what physical diseases can alcoholism cause?

Accepted Answer

Many: Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease in itself.  It can cause many areas of difficulty physically, the most common being liver problems, pancreatitis, nutrition related problems, and over time, brain damage.

Question 7

can you believe that alcoholism is a disease?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Like other diseases, alcoholism has strong genetic links- moral weakness does not. Like diabetes, alcoholism requires lifestyle changes, commitment to an entire pattern of living, and sometimes involves the entire family. 
Alcoholism is a sometimes relapsing brain disease for which successful treatment has been found. Approaches  tailored to each patient save lives. Chronic means no quick fix.

Question 8

please answer! what physical diseases does alcoholism cause?

Accepted Answer

Liver disease: Liver disease (cirrhosis), anemia, cancer (liver, esophageal, throat, colon), seizures, gout, neuropathy, pancreatitis, cardiovascular disease, depression, dementia, Korsakoff's syndrome

Question 9

can you please explain why alcoholism is considered a disease?

Accepted Answer

Many reasons: Like hypertension and diabetes, alcoholism has a  genetic component. Alcoholism is a brain disease. Animal models and human evidence shows altered chemical neurotransmitter response to alcohol in alcoholics. Diabetics can't handle sugar, alcoholics can't handle alcohol--never, ever, for the rest of their life. Treatment is available and is successful and is lifelong. Chronic illness requires work!

Question 10

why is alcoholism considered a disease/illness rather than a choice?

Accepted Answer

See below: Because it is associated with demonstrable and often reversible abnormalites in the functioning of specific nerve tracts in the brain.

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Alcoholism and disease

A member asked:

Can you please explain why alcoholism is a disease and other addictions are just addictions?

A member asked:

Is alcoholism a disease?

A member asked:

What diseases does alcoholism cause?

A member asked:

Help please! is alcoholism a disease?

A member asked:

Can you tell me if alcoholism is a disease?

A member asked:

What physical diseases can alcoholism cause?

A member asked:

Can you believe that alcoholism is a disease?

A member asked:

Please answer! what physical diseases does alcoholism cause?

A member asked:

Can you please explain why alcoholism is considered a disease?

A member asked:

Why is alcoholism considered a disease/illness rather than a choice?

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