Alcoholism: No Longer a Disease?

Well, not exactly.

The American Medical Association (AMA) calls alcoholism a disease, and people have been framing alcoholism as a disease for more than a 100 years. Now, one psychologist argues that the disease model can impede the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of alcoholism.

Lance Brendan Young is a postdoctoral research fellow with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Center for Comprehensive Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation in Iowa City, Iowa. He claims that thinking of alcoholism as a disease increases the stigma of abnormality (of being permanently deviant in body and mind).



.....................................................................

While the disease model may be useful for treating people who consider themselves alcoholics, it may be harmful to people trying to determine whether their drinking is problematic, Young said. To be diagnosed with alcoholism means a person has to give up their identity as a "normal" person, and take on the identity of someone with a disease, Young said. "Individuals are faced with this identity-threatening choice they have to make," Young said. As a consequence, some people change their behavior so they can continue to think of themselves as normal. For instance, a person might believe "alcoholics" only drink alone, so he will try to get his friends to go drinking with him frequently. This way, he can continue consume alcohol excessively without needing to believe he is an "alcoholic," or seeking treatment. [MSNBC.com]

.......................................................................

Isn't any deviation away from the disease model distracting? Yes, it is difficult to admit to not being a “normal” person…But an alcoholic is not a normal person. They cannot drink like other people, and if they do drink alcohol, the result will be physical, mental, and social problems, and probably problems with work and relationships. It’s a tough reality, but it's the truth. 

Related Articles:

Expert: Don’t call alcoholism a disease: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44639148/ns/health-addictions/t/expert-dont-call-alcoholism-disease/