Alcohol Abuse: Alcoholism as a Disease Essay -- Health Addiction

The puzzle of alcohol abuse has been recognized for thousands of years, but only more recently have we begun to see alcohol addiction as a treatable disorder. According to the Classical Disease archetype of Alcoholism, habitual use of alcohol can be identified as a disease. Websters Dictionary defines the supposition of disease as follows Any departure from health presenting marked symptoms malady affection disorder. Therefore, as many occurrences of alcohol excess provoke such symptoms, it is somewhat understandable that alcoholism is categorize as a disease. The Classical Disease Model appears to offer a hopeful option. Treatment and sobriety can allow people to lead fulfilling lives. attached to the notion of alcoholism as personal failure or moral deterioration, the Classical Disease Model appears to be a more desirable concept as it provides a motive for the alcoholic to seek treatment and gain sympathy, minimizing personal guilt. As alcoholism is seen as a progressive and , to an extent, hereditary illness for which those afflicted are not accountable, victims avoid being ostracized from society (Jellinek, 1960). Labeling the problem as a disease allows the medical profession to take duty for the treatment of alcoholism, which roves the problem in a more favourable light than if it were in the hands of psychologists or social workers, thus detaching the stigma connected with the problem while it is put on a par with other diseases such as diabetes or cancer. However, critics of the Classical Disease Model believe stigma helps reduce alcohol problems and assist the alcoholic. Any effort to reduce the stigma which is faced by the alcoholic will reduce pressures to moderate consumption and could have the additional ... ... the alcoholic of responsibility for their problem. Labeling an alcohol problem as a disease is perhaps as stigmatising as the problem itself and could have the effect of dissuading many problem drinkers from seeking help. It focuse s in the first place on those whose drinking has become excessive and is thus restrictive. The Classical Disease Model may appear convenient for alcoholics who want to deny they have a problem, yet it is likely to do more harm to the individual and the community than good, therefore it is clear to see why, in the 21st Century, the Classical Disease Model is viewed as entirely inadequate. Works CitedJellinek, E. M. (1960.) The Disease Concept of Alcoholism. New Haven, Conn. College and University Press. Lender, M. E. (1979). Jellineks typology of alcoholism Some historical antecedents.Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 10(5), 361-375.