The Disease of Alcoholism

Alarik Morris
Prof. Pies
Intro to Writing
12/3/14

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Due to the evolving perceptions and advances in medical research, alcoholism should
be considered a serious medical disease. Therefore, understanding those afflicted and how to
treat the afflicted have resulted in better treatment options and outcomes. The disease of
alcoholism has been prevalent since alcohol was conceived for use as a drug, and has affected
the same mental and physical aspects of the diseased ever since. This consistency has
provided those concerned with this sickness the opportunity over the centuries, to study and
observe those afflicted, and methods of treatment have been developed. Treatments exist not
only for the body, but also for the mind and soul. That is the extent of this disease; it can affect
virtually all aspects of a person, and usually requires a multitude of potential treatments.
Alcoholism is considered a disease by most members of the scientific and
medical community, such as Bill Wilson and Bob Smith the founders of AA. It and other
addictions are mental illnesses that affect the chemical function of the brain. It affects the reward
pathway of the brain and the system that connects the area of the brain with subconscious
functions, emotion, and decision making; this system is referred to as the mesolimbic pathways.
When the person drinks alcohol, the neurotransmitters in the brain (such as dopamine)
communicate pleasure to the reward center and as more of the substance is consumed the less
the neurotransmitters affect the reward center. The rest of the system then craves more of the
substance and the effect is weakened every time, which is why tolerance is built until eventually
the physical toll is too much for the body to handle and the patient dies (Angres, Angres 2008).
Some members of the medical and scientific field claim that alcoholism is not a disease
because it is modeled by sociological and non-medical theories. Prof. David J. Hanson claims
that alcoholism is not a disease because of the flaws in one model. He points out that a certain
disease theory model is incorrect because it states that medical treatment is necessary to cure
the condition, when many people are able to recover without using drugs or other medical aids
(Hanson, 1995). Hanson concludes that alcoholism must not be a disease because this one

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theory is incorrect, when there is much substantial evidence claiming that alcoholism is a
disease. For instance, the mental processes that occur in the brain of the alcoholic are clear
indicators that alcoholism is a medical condition and the evidence of genetic weaknesses in
various experiments has proved that it is biological (Wallace 1990).
Like all chronic diseases, genetics plays a role in deciding whether or not the children of
the diseased will also have a strong likelihood for developing the same affliction, and the same
is true for alcoholism. Observational studies conducted on multiple families indicate that
genetics is a contributing factor to the likelihood of developing alcoholism (Schuckit 2008). In
addition, numerous studies on animals have found that the tendency to prefer alcohol in some
generations of mice that have been divided into strains using selective breeding (Wallace 1990).
Likewise to genetics, the environment a person is exposed to affects their likelihood to become
alcoholic. For example, if a man or woman is born into a household where it is common to drink
and become drunk, then it is likely that they will drink later in life and thus the odds that they will
become alcoholics will increase. Conversely, if the person were to grow up in a home that drank
rarely or in moderation then the probability that he or she will become addicted to alcohol will
decrease. Based on studies, it has also been shown that factors such as marriage life,
religiosity, and the type of neighborhood affect the chances that the subject will become
alcoholic (Dick, Kendler 2012).
Some may try to argue the opinion that alcohol dependency is not a disease, but instead
a failing that can be easily fixed by control and mental toughness. While it is important in the
treatment process that the patient is compliant and determined to quit drinking, it is not merely a
matter of controlling a simple urge. It is not a craving or simple longing that is quenched by the
subject only because they like the way the drink influences them; it is a physical and
psychological need.

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As all chronic diseases or conditions do, alcoholism severely impacts all aspects of a
persons life and well-being, but it does so in a way that is much less detectable and more
insidious than other diseases. For instance, if someone is diabetic, then he or she will discover
this from the symptoms that are physically obvious such as slurred speech. However if someone
is an alcoholic, then it is sometimes less obvious to the subject because they may not realize or
want to acknowledge that they have an issue with liquor. Alcohol dependency is a disease that
varies greatly in consequences and effects on the suffering and their lifestyles. This illness
substantially impacts the psychological, physical and spiritual state of those who are afflicted in a
profound and drastic manner. Each of these aspects of the patients life is essential as they make
their way to recovery from alcoholism.
One of the most predominant aspects of a person that alcohol affects is the psychological
state of the subject. Since consistent drinking influences hormones and hormonal chemicals in
the brain, it is not baffling that heavy alcohol consumption can manifest many symptoms such as
sadness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, unnecessary anger or aggression, and impaired
judgment over time (Shivani, Goldsmith, Anthenelli 2002). Alcohol can also cause patients to
develop syndromes (symptoms that form patterns over a certain period of time) that include
mood, anxiety, psychotic, sleep, sexual, delirious, amnestic, and dementia disorders (Shivani,
Goldsmith, Anthenelli 2002). With these consequences, it is not a surprise to learn that a proper
mental state is integral to the patients recovery from alcoholism. Dr. William Silkworth writes to
Alcoholics Anonymous that, ...some form of moral psychology was of urgent importance to
alcoholics (Smith, Holbrook, Wilson 2001). He also writes that since former alcoholics were

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allowed to come and share their stories in the hospital he worked in, they experienced great
improvement in the state of many cases of alcohol dependents.
Along with the mental and psychological effects of alcoholism, this malady perhaps most
significantly affects the body and physical state of the patient. The sheer range of conditions and
physical harm that the disease can do to the subject is bewildering. For example, infectious
diseases, cancer, diabetes, intentional and unintentional injury, and neuropsychiatric,
cardiovascular, liver, and pancreas disease are all potential ailments of this condition (Rehm
2011). While it may not be a direct physical injury, it is important to keep in mind that the
alcohol also affects the brain and apart from the mental disorders that may arise from alcohol
dependence, the brain is altered to crave and create a physical need for the alcohol. In addition to
the drinker potentially developing these physical issues, the impact on the physical well-being of
those around the drinker is also a substantial problem. For instance, car accidents, child abuse or
neglect, and domestic violence and assault are all potential influences on individuals around the
alcoholic and not on the alcoholic directly (Rehm 2011). Some examples that highlight the
danger of alcoholics toward others include drunk driving where the alcoholic could crash their
vehicle into another car or other people and potentially kill them. Also alcohol can also heighten
the drinkers sense of aggression, especially when the substance is used repeatedly, and that can
lead to them physically attacking their spouse or family.
At first glance, the subject of spirituality (defined as an individual's sense of peace,
purpose, and connection to others, and beliefs about the meaning of life) (National Cancer
Institute, 2012) may not appear to be a substantial scientific or medical topic that can be used to
describe alcoholism. However, this is a crucial aspect for the mental health and status of those
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recovering from alcohol dependency and is used in the well-known alcoholism recovery
organization Alcoholics Anonymous (A. A.). The spirituality of the patient is one of the many
things in their life that alcoholism can alter. For instance one of the primary symptoms of
alcoholism is neglecting social activities and putting alcohol before things that were previously
valued as important, this can and in many cases does include attending church or focusing on the
individual belief of the alcoholic. Spirituality is also mentioned in Dr. Silkworths letter as he
continues discussing the patients that were first treated in his hospital with a more psychological
and spiritual approach, They believe in themselves, and still more in the Power which pulls
chronic alcoholics back from the gates of death. (Smith, Holbrook, W. 2001). Those who
believe in a higher power have a better chance of staying sober and away from alcohol, for
example in a psychology journal the author writes, Religious believers have resources that
provide coping mechanisms for lifes challenges and a hope that buffers them against the mental
anguish that motivates some to substance abuse. (Delaney, Forcehimes, Campbell, Smith 2009).
Alcohol dependency clearly affects entire lives of the people that suffer from it, this
disease ruins the mental, physical, and spiritual state of those dependent. Alcoholism causes
mental disorders and affects the actions and thought process of the alcoholics, it ruins the body
and can lead to a wide variety of physical disorders and ailments, and it can result in a loss in
faith. However during the recovery process, all of these problems are overcome and fixed as they
are all integral to the well-being and future sobriety of the patient. This treatment can come about
in a variety of different ways and by a variety of different styles. The three most effective
programs include the 12-Step Program, inpatient treatment, and outpatient treatment.

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The 12-Step Program is probably the most famous and effective treatment program
available to those suffering from alcoholism. It was first used in 1935 along with the founding of
A. A., ever since it has helped to treat over two million alcoholics and is one of the most
effective programs in the recovery of alcoholism. The program is constructed as the name
implies, with twelve steps that deal with the issues of acceptance of alcoholism,
acknowledgement of a greater power, penitence, humility, and meditation among others
(Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, INC. 2010). The purpose of these issues is to help
alcoholics learn to live life without alcohol and to base their lives around these and other moral
premises which they would have not acknowledged while addicted to alcohol. These groups
typically hold meetings in which they discuss a certain issue or aspect of the treatment that they
would like to talk about. These groups may also be different based on the type of area the group
meets at, this can be a positive because the group members will be able to relate to each other
and be more open within the meetings (Mckay, Hiller-Sturmhfel 2011).
Despite the effectiveness of the 12-Step Program and similar programs around the world,
some alcoholics may have too severe a case to only use these programs. If this is the case, then
these patients will most likely use inpatient programs at hospitals where they are given a place to
stay, medication, and staff to take care of them. Additionally it allows the patient to be in a closed
environment where they will not be tempted by any kind of trigger that may be present at their
home. This is a method of getting the alcoholic through the preliminary stages of sobriety where
they may experience withdrawal and could be a danger to themselves as well as others. The
detoxification process can take anywhere from 5-14 days to conclude depending on how long the
patient has been drinking, how long they have been alcoholic, and if they have gone through
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previous treatments (Inpatient Alcohol Detox 2013). After they have completed the process, the
patient is often encouraged to attend support groups or other programs that will help them
maintain sobriety.
There is also a middle ground for alcoholics whose case is not severe enough to need
inpatient treatment, but is serious enough to need more than a support group and need medical
attention. The patient will go to the doctor in the same way the inpatient alcoholic will, only they
will not check into the hospital and will only meet with the physician and receive medication
based on the level of their condition. They will also need to be monitored by a sponsor (a family
member, friend, etc.) who will devote their time to attending to the patient as they move through
the stages of withdrawal which often involves physical illness and possibly seizures or other
serious reactions to the detoxification process. After this process they will be encouraged to
attend support groups such as the 12-Step Program just as the inpatients are (Prater, Miller,
Zylstra 1999).
The most important part of understanding alcoholism is learning what treatments work
best for those affected. These treatments consist primarily of the 12-Step Program, inpatient, and
outpatient treatment which have proved to be most effective in helping alcoholics become sober
and stay sober.
There are those who claim that alcoholism is not a disease, but a matter of willpower that
can be controlled. This is an obvious fallacy and misconception of the condition which is a
disease that has existed since alcohol has been consumed. Due to the extent of this disease,
numerous methods of treatment have been developed which have been extremely successful in
helping alcohol dependents recover from their condition. This disease will always be prevalent in
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our culture because it has been rampant since humans walked first the earth and has been passed
down from generation to generation. However, if we can continue to learn about how the disease
affects the subjects and continue to develop and improve methods of treatment, then perhaps we
can ease the pain and suffering that this malady causes on the entire world.

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