Alcoholism: Disease or Choice?

Jigsy · 02-21-2008

What do you believe and why?

weenserwee · 02-21-2008

I voted that I don't know... I think I kind of see it as an allergy. Some people crave the things they are allergic to. Some people break out in a rash, while others' throats might close up on them (different symtoms and severity).

But then, when it starts deteriorating your mind and effecting your thought patterns, your health, etc., I think it is a disease.

I don't know if I'm expressing what I think very well.

Happy · 02-21-2008

It sure as hell isn't a choice...

I leave this instead of my incoherent ramblings....from The Mayo Clinic

HollyJM · 02-21-2008

The 'causes' and 'risk factors' in that link from Happy were interesting. If it were a choice, nobody would choose it.

I would like to choose being able to over-drink without any negative consequences whatsoever, health-wise and otherwise, but that's not possible.

HollyC · 02-21-2008

I think it might become a disease of the brain almost like a mental disorder from the poison, and an obsession, especially when you learn to use it as a coping or relaxing method. I also thing it has alot to do with how your childhood was. Bottom line it has a lot of different facets. I would love to know one day if they ever discover the real reason.

I question the disease theory because some people cut back and get control of their lives even when they may have been alcohol abusers/alcoholics?

My uncle quit drinking and once in awhile he has a beer and he has not abused it for over 10 years??

So Jigs who the hell really knows.

I know you are wondering, is it from AA some things are hard to swallow from it, trust me I know.

What do you think?

HollyC · 02-21-2008

"Theres often an element of choice in diseases."

This is it!!! Bingo, thanks!!

If you think about it all disease is caused by a breakdown of cell functioning, from pollution, cars, tv's, food, smoke etc...heart disease, diabetes, cancer, can all be linked to lifestyle.

Why would alcohol be any different. IT IS POISON???

Drink poison over and over it will kill you eventually, the more you drink the faster, some people do not drink alot over their lives and do not ever reach that point.

I also believe that it can happen to ANYONE if they put it in their system enough.

I am done no more thinking

HollyJM · 02-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by HollyC

I question the disease theory because some people cut back and get control of their lives even when they may have been alcohol abusers/alcoholics?

My uncle quit drinking and once in awhile he has a beer and he has not abused it for over 10 years??

Yes, people like that are interesting. There must be some significant difference in those people. I know I can stop at two if I have to, such as a business dinner, but I can't stop the yearning for more after two, and that is a fact.

HollyC · 02-21-2008

I guess the confusing part about that is does he still want another one and just never does or was he just able to stop.

I do know he quit for a LONG time before he ever had just one every now and then..again who knows, did this change because his mind and life did???

Jigsy · 02-21-2008

I say choice.

This is how I see it.

No gives themselves cancer, leukemia, lupus, brain tumor, Parkinson's, Hodgkins, arthritis, etc, etc. The symptoms that go along with these diseases, cannot be lessened by something I stop putting in my body. You need medical attention to address these.

If I stop drinking, my mind clears, my actions are not deplorable, my skins clears, my eyes are brighter, etc.

By our choosing to drink, we alter our brain's chemical makeup.

If we stop drinking, we experience the loss of our companion, we are uncomfortable, but I brains begins to recover. We don't get back the brain cells that we destroyed, but we are usually able to function better without the alcohol.

I may be completely ignorant about it, but this is how I see it, today.

HollyJM · 02-21-2008

To some degree, Jigs, that makes sense.

But I remember the first time I drank, I just wanted "more, more". And other people don't have that reaction. Some people's brains flip a switch and they honestly don't want "more" after one or two. They feel satisfied with a small amount. Surely, that difference in feeling isn't a choice?

This is all interesting.