Saturday, July 26, 2008

Is it a disease?


There is a current debate whether alcoholism is an actual illness. Explanations suggesting it is and otherwise both have substantial arguments backing them up. So who is actually telling the truth?

Let's see what science is saying about alcoholism as a disease. According to Alcoholics Anonymous of Forth Worth, Texas, alcohol disrupts the normal functioning of the brain and this damage is "perhaps even more insidious than the damage sustained by the liver, the heart and other vital organs." (www.legacyaa.com) An assertion is made that alcoholism may be a hereditary thing and there are studies that try to substantiate this claim. One significant experiment was conducted by D.W. Goodwin. The study, which involved adopted children, showed that those whose biological parents were alcoholics were much likelier to become alcoholics than those whose biological parents were non-alcoholics. This statistic was proven further by the fact that the adopted kids with alcoholic biological parents were still likelier to become alcoholic themselves even though their foster parents are non-alcoholic.

A study such as this is just an example among various other experiments. But whether alcoholism has biological roots or not, I think people should assume some personal responsibility. We do have a choice whether to buy that pack of beer or not. Or to take that vodka shot. Or to consume that tequila sunrise. Unlike most diseases, we have the capability to avoid being an alcoholic. And should we be trapped in a cycle of addiction, remember that willpower is still the best cure.

Original Article


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