Alcoholism: Disease And Research

Words: 264
Pages: 2

The debate as to whether or not alcoholism is a disease is a present one in society, despite scientific evidence that supports this classification. It has been argued that alcohol use disorder is seen to cause a variety of diseases, including (but not limited to) cirrhosis of the liver and dementia, but the use of alcohol is not a disease in and of itself. Alcoholism merely results in consequential diseases (Doran, 2014). The counterargument is a compelling one, supported by scientific research on the genetic and neurological characteristics of the alcoholic. Considering alcohol use disorder a disease also has roots in the original treatments of alcoholism, many of which still exist today. Accepting that alcoholism is a disease has the