The Disease Theory.
According to Dr. James R. Miliam and Katherine Ketcham, alcoholism is defined as: "A chronic, primary, hereditary disease which progresses from an early, physiological susceptibility into an addiction characterized by tolerance changes, physiological dependence, and loss of control over drinking. Psychological symptoms are secondary to the physiological disease and not relevant to its onset (Milam 189). The idea of an inherited biological mechanism is not always a part of disease theories, although it has been a major source for medical research (Schuckit, 1984). The central trait of disease theories is the alcoholic's loss of control.
The basic AA version of alcoholism as a disease is that the true alcoholic cannot control his or her drinking, an inability that exists before the first drink is taken. The condition is irreversible and progressive and requires complete abstinence. According to Milam, physiology decides if a person will be an alcoholic (Milam 35). People are genetically predisposed to be addicted, some people become addicted with the first drink. It is not a symbol of a psychological or moral weakness, but the effect of a series of molecular events (Niiler 17). Alcoholism is a primary disease and is not linked to another condition. Alcohol in small quantities is a stimulant, but in large quantities it acts as a sedative. Acetaldehyde, the central product of alcohol metabolism, appears to be one of the key villains in the onset of alcoholism (Milam 35). Charles Lieber, chief of research on liver disease, found that higher levels of acetaldehyde were found in alcoholics. He found that alcoholics seem to have a liver cell failure that causes the chemical to collect when the alcoholic drinks, because the metabolism cannot turn the alcohol into acetate (salt) fast enough. Acetaldehyde can cause liver and cell damage, and impaired cardiac function.
Alcoholism: Infecting the World Alcoholism is a major problem that goes masked through the world that we live in today. ... Alcoholism is infecting the world. ... Alcoholism is not fate. ... This binge drinking habit can lead to alcoholism. ... Alcoholism is not a disease that is untreatable. ...
Alcoholism Alcoholism is considered a disease, meaning that it follows a characteristic course with known physical and social symptoms. ... Alcoholism is serious, and a very difficult habit to break. ... There are generally four basic types of alcoholism. The first type is called Alpha Alcoholism. ... The fourth type of alcoholism is Delta Alcoholism. ...
The stem of those problems was, in fact, alcoholism. ... Alcohol is not the problem, alcoholism is. ... My family was a textbook case of a family ruined by alcoholism. ... If we don't set up an improvement or some sort of plan of prevention, the problem of alcoholism and alcoholism within families will continue to escalate. ... Alcoholism runs rampant throughout my family. ...
This website shows the effects of parental alcoholism on children. ... Numerous studies have reported on the familial transmission of alcoholism. ... Furthermore, these people have a higher probability for developing alcoholism earlier in their lives; and experiencing more severe effects of alcoholism. ... Alcoholics with a long history of family alcoholism have more sever symptoms and more social problems, versus those families without a history of family alcoholism. ... Many alcoholics authentically believe that their alcoholism is hidden. ...
Alcoholism is determined by heredity and social environment. A variety of aspects contribute to the rising trend of alcoholism. ... Cultural background plays a large role in whether an individual is likely to develop alcoholism or not. ... (Grant, Mary, Alcoholism New Knowledge and New Response. ... A new, and controversial, study on alcoholism is one connected with genetic and a possible alcoholism gene. ...
An alcoholic has problems admitting that alcoholism is a disease, and that they are addicted to this substance. Alcoholism has been called the most serious drug problem in terms of the number of victims and costs to society. ... People with fewer Dopamine receptors are very likely to develop alcoholism. This helps to develop the theory that alcoholism is not a disease of choice, as believed by many. ... Alcoholism cannot be cured, but its effects can be slowed down and reversed. ...
Some people, however, can't stop, and are at great risk of alcoholism. Alcoholism affects both your body and your life. ... The cause of alcoholism is unknown. ... Some studies have tried to prove that alcoholism is hereditary, and that people are genetically prone to be addicts of some sort and the most common addiction is alcoholism. ... Alcoholism destroys your family, your life, and your health. ...
Alcoholism is a chronic disease that is progressive and often fatal. ... There are countries dealing with alcoholism all over the world. ... Russia seems to have a more serious problem with alcoholism. ... Society as a whole has looked down upon alcoholism. ... Alcoholism is not the same in all people. ...
This is because alcoholism has been classified as a disease by the American Medical Society as well as by the National Council of Alcoholism because of the four factors such as it has symptoms and signs, it is diagnosable, it is progressive, and it can be treated (Facts about alcohol and Alcoholism 8). ... Alcoholism is progressive, this disease can cause many problems to a persons health. ... Alcoholism is a treatable illness and is treated best the earlier it is detected. ... There is no actual cure foe alcoholism. ... My personal interview was with my uncle Jim who is now sufferi...
