, Research Paper
Last year my Uncle was diagnosed with the disease known as alcoholism. He of course went through the whole 12-step program and he is currently a member AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). He has not had a drink since he got out of his 12-step program. This made me think of why alcoholism is considered a disease? Why is it not considered a lack of self-control of the substance of alcohol? Is it the fact that society is led to believe that addictions are a disease and there is always a self help program to go to? Or is it the lack of taking responsibility and facing the problem? So I decided to do some research on the so-called disease of alcoholism. So I went to the library. My first stop was the Internet. I found a lot of information on the topic of Alcoholism in the Another Empty Bottle website. An organization on the Internet for help with alcoholism. I found out that there are two main theories about alcoholism. One is the disease model and the other model is the social learning model. The disease model states that alcoholism is defined as a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environment factors influencing its development and manifestation. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuos or periodic: impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably denial. Yet there are wholes in the disease model. One Alcoholism isn t always progressive. Drinkers can often maintain the same level of drinking for years. Others drink and stop at will. While others struggle their whole lives with the disease. Two. Once an alcoholic isn t always true. Several treatment methods do not rely on total abstinence and are successful (Another Empty Bottle). The second model is the Social learning model. It states that problem drinking is, like all human behavior, learned. Drinking alcohol is a functional activity, which either produces a pleasant consequence or avoids an unpleasant one such as anxiety. Acting upon this basic psychophysiological effect are social and psychosocial factors such as cultural, peer group and family influences together with occupation, personality, subculture, price and availability. Yet there are also wholes in the social learning model. One. Alcoholism is influenced by genetics. Two. It does not adequately explain the apparently illogical self-destructiveness of some levels of alcohol consumption. Three. It inadequately explains alcoholism s ability to affect all ages, races, classes, groups, and cultures ( Another Empty Bottle). My next and last stop was Oden the libraries catalog for books. I found four books that enlightened me on the subject of alcoholism. They are Understanding The Alcoholics Mind by Arnold M. Ludwig, M.D., Is Alcoholism Hereditary? by Donald Goodwin, The Disease Concept of Alcoholism by E.M. Jellinek, and What You Should Know About Alcoholism by Don Tracy. With this adequate information I have, I feel I can fully explore the concept of Alcoholism being a disease or a lack of self-control. My stand on this subject is that alcoholism should not be considered a disease. Who knows though my stand could change after writing this paper. Considering all the information I have on the subject. To start off with we all know that alcoholism is a loss of self-control over alcohol. Yet where does the addiction become a disease? Or should it even be considered a disease? Some people say that genetics has a lot to do with alcoholism. This is true, if your family has long line of alcoholics, then your chances are quite high that you will become an alcoholic. That is if you let yourself lose control and become one. The choice is always yours to stop yourself from becoming an alcoholic. For example in the case of a disease, such as cancer, Genetics has also a lot to do with cancer as well. If your family has long line of cancer victims for example then your chances are high then to get cancer. You don t have a choice to get cancer or not, but you always have a choice when it comes to alcoholism. Which is why I don t believe alcoholism should be labeled as a disease. You have a choice to become an alcoholic or not, but you never have a choice in the matter of getting cancer. When I started looking over the books I had checked out I realized that they were not really what I was looking for until I got to E.M. Jellinek s book. It really intrigued me to find out about why alcoholism is a disease. In 1955 with help from AA and Jellinek, got alcoholism acknowledged as a disease by the World Health Organization. The reasons why it is considered a disease according to the World Health Organization is that those
suffering from the disease differ from those who do not, and that alcoholic drinking results from an involuntary impaired control over drinking and an abnormal craving for alcohol which can be precipitated by just one drink. Jellinek felt that heavy drinking was initially a result of learning and that the disease of alcoholism developed at some point when the drinking becomes increasingly excessive and the body depends on alcohol on a regular basis(Jellinek). I could see a little bit now why it could be labeled as a disease. Yet I still have my doubts. Critics around the Medical world have contested the disease model theory. In 1962 a survey was given following up on the long term progress of discharged alcoholics. They found that a small amount had been drinking normally for most of the time since discharge. This countered the notions that once an alcoholic always an alcoholic and that total abstinence is the only option. There has been more research that has confirmed these findings. Another experiment was done by a psychiatrist disputing the craving part of the disease alcoholism. She gave small amounts of alcohol either with or without their knowledge. She found that if a patient was unaware that he had consumed alcohol there was little evidence of increased craving or loss of control. When the subjects were told they were drinking alcohol, whether they were or not, reported craving. Which leads me to believe that most of alcoholism is in your head and that it becomes a disease when your body needs it to survive (Another Empty Bottle). Jellinek also goes over the Social learning model, which says drinking is learned. I am not going to go into depth on this model because I have already stated what is about earlier in the paper. Jellinek though gives some more interesting facts about this model that I didn t have earlier. He says All features of the daily life in the Social learning model operate together to shape how different people will respond differently to life events and circumstances. Only some people, for example, will drink more heavily in response to divorce, bereavement, redundancy, loneliness etc. Some may drink more for a short while and some on a long term basis (Jellinek). Most people s drinking varies over time. Basically he is saying that alcoholics start out drinking by social drinking and it either rapidly or slowly progresses to the disease alcoholism. Jellinek states that alcoholics develop alcoholism in different ways. Some alcoholics begin drinking to the point of intoxication from their first drink, immediately behaving in ways destructive to health and relationships. Others suffer a progressive disease, beginning with acceptable social drinking. In the early stages of the alcohol consumption the alcoholics tend to depend on alcohol for its mood altering qualities. Drinks are used to perk up, calm down, celebrate, mourn, be sociable, or to withdraw. When it becomes a disease is when alcoholics have no specific reason to drink other than to drink (Another Empty Bottle). I could probably go on forever about the different theories, models, and etc. My mind though is just in a frenzy trying to figure out what to believe and what not to believe about alcoholism being a disease. Yet there is one thing I can say about the disease known as alcoholism is that I think alcoholism is a little of both a loss of control and a disease. I think it is a disease when your body has to have it in order to survive. Other then that I still don t believe it is a disease from the start until you reach that point. Of course there is also the aspect of you can never be 100% cured from alcohol because there will always be that urge to drink and if you can over come that urge then you can over come alcoholism. I guess the real problem is not the aspect of alcoholism being a disease or not. It is the aspect of society in general has a problem with alcohol regardless of what we label it as. We need to support people with alcoholism and get them help instead of fighting over if it should be a disease or not. I can honestly say I really don t care what alcoholism is labeled as. As long as people get help they can label alcoholism whatever the world wants to label it as. Work Cited Another Empty Bottle . Alcoholism Index , Copyright 1997-1999Goodwon, Donald. Is Alcoholism Hereditary?. New York: Oxford University Press, 1976.Jellinek, E.M. The Disease Concept of Alcoholism. New Haven, Connecticut: Hillhouse Press, 1960.Ludwig, Arnold M. , M.D. Understanding The Alcoholics Mind: The Nature of Craving and How to Control it. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.Tracy, Don. What You Should Know About Alcoholism? Cornwall: The Cornwall Press,1975.
Другие работы по теме:
Narcolepsy Essay Research Paper NarcolepsyWhat is narcolepsy
Narcolepsy Essay, Research Paper Narcolepsy What is narcolepsy? Narcolepsy is a severe and incredibly disabling sleep disorder. It is a serious, lifelong condition that affects the nervous system. Narcoleptics lack a chemical called Hypocretin that regulates sleep. Narcolepsy causes nerves to carry and deliver ?sleep messages? to the brain at the wrong times, making life awkward and often embarrassing for anybody that has this disease.
TaySach Disease Essay Research Paper TaySach Disease
Tay-Sach Disease Essay, Research Paper Tay-Sach Disease A Tragic Genetic Disease Christine Woods-Sosso What is Tay-Sachs disease? Tay-Sach disease is a tragic inheritied birth defect, that eventually kills the person with it. The symptoms appear around the age of 6 months in what seems to be a healthy baby.
Booze And Loose Essay Research Paper Booze
Booze And Loose Essay, Research Paper Booze and Loose Alcoholism is a disease which can be found in many American homes. It can have both short and long term effects on the way a person thinks and acts. This in return can destroy a families relationship, a persons mental health as well as a person future.
Angina Essay Research Paper AnginaWhat is Angina
Angina Essay, Research Paper Angina What is Angina? Angina is a, “Chest pain or pressure, lasting a matter of minutes, that may radiate into the neck or arms. A common symptom of coronary artery disease, angina occurs during periods of physical or emotional stress and is relieved by rest” (Topol, 309). Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is caused by a lack of oxygen to the heart; it most commonly affects men after the age of 30, and women after menopause.
AlcoholismA Essay Research Paper AlcoholismAlcoholism is a
Alcoholism(A) Essay, Research Paper AlcoholismAlcoholism, is a illness involving the excessive use of alcoholic beverages, whether it’s a can of beeror other sources such as vodka, and whiskey etc. It often affects a lot of people and their families. Iwill discuss the symptoms of alcoholism. I will continue into the effects of alcoholism.
Alcoholism An Intrepretation Essay Research Paper Alcoholism
Alcoholism An Intrepretation Essay, Research Paper Alcoholism has been a problem throughout the history of humanity, a disease which has caused many people to be overcome with burdens, problems, and debts. Alcoholism is a term that is widely recognized throughout the United States and the World. Alcoholism is a chronic disease, progressive and often fatal; it is a disorder and not due to other diseases or emotional problems.
Alcoholism Essay Research Paper AlcoholismApril 30 2001According
Alcoholism Essay, Research Paper AlcoholismApril 30, 2001According to Alcohol And You, We live in a society that drinks heavily, and teens are influenced by this. Living with an alcoholic basically means living with stress a great deal of the time. Alcoholism is a family disease that affects not just one person in the family but everyone.
Alcohol Is Bad Essay Research Paper Alcohol
Alcohol Is Bad Essay, Research Paper Alcohol and other Drug Education Writing Assignment The most important thing that I have gotten out of participating in the Alcohol 101 CD ROM is that one should be responsible with life. The CD reinforced my thoughts on the lack of respect for life drinking and driving involves, as well as all of the shown predicaments.
Anemia Essay Research Paper Anemia is a
Anemia Essay, Research Paper Anemia is a disease of the blood. Anemia is characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells or in the concentration of hemoglobin in the body. These deficiencies are caused by either decreased production or increased destruction of blood cells. Anemia is most common among women in their reproductive years, infants, and the elderly.
Alcohol Essay Research Paper The Affects of
Alcohol Essay, Research Paper The Affects of Alcoholism Drinking for many starts as a seldom habit. We may drink for strictly social reasons, but for some the problem becomes uncontrollable. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn demonstrates the affect alcohol has on Huck. But, alcohol affects more than just one person it affects a whole community.
The Small Pox Essay Research Paper In
The Small Pox Essay, Research Paper In May 1796, Dr. Edward Jenner a physician started investigating what was called cowpox which was a disease contracted by milking cows. This disease caused discomfort and lesions. This discovery and experiment with the cowpox disease seemed to produce an immunization to smallpox a very deadly disease.
Alzheimers Essay Research Paper Alzheimer
Alzheimers Essay, Research Paper Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive and irreversible brain disease that destroys mental and physical functioning
Problem Of Alcoholism Essay Research Paper The
Problem Of Alcoholism Essay, Research Paper The Problem of Alcoholism Alcoholism is a disease in which a person has an overwhelming desire to drink alcoholic beverages. A person who has this desire is called an alcoholic because he/she feels forced to drink. Alcoholism is considered one of the most serious problems in the world.
Alcoholism And Teens Essay Research Paper Alcoholism
Alcoholism And Teens Essay, Research Paper Alcoholism refers to the drinking of alcoholic beverages to such a degree that important things of an individual’s life – such as work, school, family relationships, or personal safety and health; are seriously and repeatedly interfered with. Alcoholism is considered a disease, meaning that it follows a characteristic course with known physical, and social symptoms.
Sickle Cell Anemia Essay Research Paper Sickle
Sickle Cell Anemia Essay, Research Paper Sickle Cell Anemia Sickle Cell Anemia is a genetic disease that affects all kinds of people and can start before a person is even born. This paper will talk about
Teenagers Problems Essay Research Paper Teenagers problemsToday
Teenagers Problems Essay, Research Paper Teenagers problems Today in the modern society, there a lot of problems, especially problems related with teenagers. A lot of factors influenced in this situation. For example some teenagers felt lack of love from their parents. Another factor is the lack of education because of poverty.
Hepititus Essay Research Paper Hepatitis ABCHepatitis is
Hepititus Essay, Research Paper Hepatitis A,B,C Hepatitis is a medical disease, which causes inflammation of the liver; your liver is an organ on the right side of your abdomen. The liver purifies your blood. The Hepatitis C virus is the second behind alcoholism among causes of liver disease and is the leading reason for liver transplants.
Difference Of Psychopath And Psychotic Essay Research
Paper Difference Between Psychotic and Psychopath People that are classified as psychotic are very different from people that are labeled as psychopaths. People classified as psychotic have a disease that is in the
Major Harris Essay Research Paper Anthony Paletti
Major Harris Essay, Research Paper Anthony Paletti Com 103 I wanted to inform the audience about the dangers of alcohol, and how alcohol effects pregnant mothers, the brain, and the liver. I also wanted the audience to know what alcoholism is and what kinds of behaviors can cause alcoholism. I think the audience knows a little bit about alcoholism and the other risks of consuming alcohol, but I think the audience does not take these dangers seriously.
Alcoholism Essay Research Paper AlcoholismAlcoholismAn overwhelming desire
Alcoholism Essay, Research Paper Alcoholism Alcoholism-An overwhelming desire to drink alcohol, even though it is causing harm. Alcohol is a drug. In the United States alcoholism is the most widespread form of drug abuse, effecting at least 5 million people. About one third of high school students in the US are though to be problem drinkers.
Alcoholics Anonymous Essay Research Paper Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous Essay, Research Paper Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is perhaps the best known and most successful alcoholism recovery program. Founded in the United States in 1935 by Dr. Robert Smith and Bill Wilson, by the 1990s the organization had grown to more than 93,000 groups in 131 countries, with an estimated membership of over 2 million.
Effects Of Alcoholism Essay Research Paper Effects
Effects Of Alcoholism Essay, Research Paper Effects of Alcoholism Growing up in a family with daily alcohol use as a way of life can have a profound effect on a young child’s mind. Most of the time this situation would seem to have a negative effect on all the people surrounded by this problem. Sometimes it can be a blessing in disguise depending on how it is looked at.
Alcoholism Essay Research Paper AlcoholismAlcohol is a
Alcoholism Essay, Research Paper Alcoholism Alcohol is a legal drug and is readily available, yet alcohol is more powerful and addictive than most drugs in the black market. It is also found in almost every society. Alcohol has been defined as the inability of a person to guarantee its behavior after the first drink.
Causes Of Alcoholism Essay Research Paper Causes
Causes Of Alcoholism Essay, Research Paper Causes of Alcoholism Alcoholism is a disease that affects many people. It not only affects the alcoholic, but also their family, friends, co-workers, and strangers. The symptoms are many, as are the causes and the effects. Alcoholism is defined as an addiction to alcohol.
Heart Disease Essay Research Paper 4 COMMON
Heart Disease Essay, Research Paper 4 COMMON HEART DISEASE 1. CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE : IS THE DAMAGE TO THE HEART THAT CAN OCCUR BEFORE OR DURING THE BIRTH OF A BABY. THAT HAPPENS
Aids 4 Essay Research Paper AIDS Acquired
Aids 4 Essay, Research Paper AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a deadly disease for which there is no cure. This disease was first recognized in the mid 1980’s. The cause of AIDS is the HIV virus, and is most commonly spread by venereal routes or exposure to contaminated blood or blood products.
Aids Essay Research Paper AIDSAcquired Deficiency Disease
Aids Essay, Research Paper AIDS Acquired Deficiency Disease is a deadly disease that has claimed many lives, both young and old, across our nation and throughout the world. Due to the lack of education concerning this disease, many myths as to how AIDS is contracted is spread. Contrary to what people believe, there are many precautions that can be taken to to avoid becoming infected.