| What is alcoholism?
Alcohol is widely called a disease. What are the characteristics of alcoholism?
Is alcoholism indicated by an inability to stop drinking once one has started?
Is it simply chronic drinking? What is the difference between someone who
drinks alot and someone who is an alcoholic? Is the loss of impulse control
the deciding factor in alcoholism, or are there alcoholics that can exercise
impulse control? If someone is capable of exerting control over themselves
even while or after drinking, does this mean they are not alcoholics? Mention
was given to some physiological differences in the blood cells of alcoholics
that (presumably) cause the loss of control. Does this mean that nobody with
those physiological differences can drink alcohol and control themselves?
I think that perhaps some of the confusion generated in the impulse control
topic was predicated by our own interpretations of alcoholism.
The Doctah
|
| According to Taber's Cyclopedis Medical Dictionary (c)1978:
"Alcoholism: a disorder manifested by complete absorption with and loss
of control over consumption of alcohol, and characterized by
chronicity, intoxication, and tendency toward relapse. Excessive
drinking causes physical disability leading to impaired emotional,
occupational and social adjustments.
"Etiology: Unknown.
"Psychological, physiological and sociological factors play an important
part. A deep-seated neurosis, subconscious feelings of insecurity and
inadequacy, conflicts and frustrations are factors. The exhilaration
factor is often the cause of intoxication in normal persons.
Alcoholism is an illness and should be so treated."
Alcoholism is a very complex disease; one of the symptoms of the
disease as it progresses is physical addiction to alcohol. The
difference between someone who drinks a lot and the alcoholic is: the
alcoholic is addicted to alcohol. Once addiction enters the picture,
phrases like "impulse control" become rather meaningless.
Alcoholics who somehow manage to control or stop their drinking are
still addicted to alcohol; that never changes. Are there physiological
differences between alcoholics and non-alcoholics? Research indicates
that there are. Is it possible for someone without these differences to
become addicted to alcohol? I can't state definitively, but my guess
is: unlikely.
andrew
|