Alcoholism

Disease? or addiction. Discuss...
I believe it is a disease.. and saying something "justifies alcoholism" drives me insane, because you might as well say it "justifies cancer."

Ok heres my contradiction to this, If it was a disease, then could i hang around an achoholic and "catch it"?

You can't catch cancer.

Cancer is developed by using drugs smoking being over weight, I do think they are both diseases because a disease aren't determined by if you can catch it or not, because there many diseases out there that aren't catch able and yes are diseases.

Ok then,

"justifies alcoholism" drives me insane, because you might as well say it "justifies cancer

How can you justify something that isn't your fault? You can't control if you get cancer or not. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002267/

Carter wrote:Ok then,

"justifies alcoholism" drives me insane, because you might as well say it "justifies cancer

How can you justify something that isn't your fault? You can't control if you get cancer or not. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002267/

Erm.. that was my point.. You can't justify cancer, nor alcoholism.

yes you can, believe me I have had many people in my family get cancer and they were either over weight did drugs, or smoked, and the only case that didn't follow that criteria was my cousin who died at 16. So I think I know a little more about this than you do from personal experience.

Cam, how many people in your family are alcoholics?

So, then, if you can't control whether you drink then, I believe you used this analogy, then I guess I have no say in when I cut and when I don't.
None, eric.
Oh and i found this pretty interesting: according to the New Oxford American Dictionary, alcoholism is: alcoholism |ˈalkəhôˌlizəm; -hä-|
noun
an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency

I've always thought it was an addiction. never thought it could be a disease...

Are addictions hereditary? Hm..

Cam, there is a difference between things in your genes EDIT... I SNIPPED THIS OUT. Please keep it on topic, though.

It is on topic Eric.
And http://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/real-teens-ask-addiction-hereditary/ third paragraph.

taking drugs effects your genes, and alcoholism effects how your mind thinks...so it's a disease

Did you even click the link? Here's the third paragraph then:
Are you more likely to do drugs if someone in your family does?

The short answer is yes, because the risk of developing drug and
alcohol problems is higher in children whose parents abuse alcohol or
drugs—but it is NOT a guarantee.

Carter wrote:Did you even click the link? Here's the third paragraph then:
Are you more likely to do drugs if someone in your family does?

The short answer is yes, because the risk of developing drug and
alcohol problems is higher in children whose parents abuse alcohol or
drugs—but it is NOT a guarantee.

http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/genetics/a/aa990517.htm

this is a better link. both my parents alcoholics.. I am not addicted to it, but I sure know as hell that if I ever stop drinking, I won't be able to stop. I'm not as strong as my mom is.

Children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to become alcoholics, hmmm that doesn't sound like a 100% too me. Point is, just because your parents drink doesn't mean you will too

four times more likely?

correct me if I am wrong, but.. doesnt that mean.. 400% likely? like.. if you are twice as likely... uhh..?

Four times more LIKELY, I meant that its not a guarantee that you will drink if your parents do.

ha.. so wait.. does that mean that if both of your parents are alcoholics, it would be four to the fourth power? i am 36 times more likely to drink. nice.

it's a disease

You can say it all you want Eric, but wasn't it you that got on my case that I had to have a source when I posted in here? Not seeing a lot of sources Eric. Oh and check your math, Its four to the fourth power is 4*4*4*4 or 16*16, which is... O_O 265...........................................

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease_theory_of_alcoholism

i post this, but want to correct something..
it says that there are treatments to this, and that you can always stop being an alcoholic, but you are always an alcoholic. it's lifelong. maybe you're an alcoholic who doesn't drink (my mom) but you still are tempted sometimes and everything has their down sides.

Is cancer lifelong? No. So your cancer argument is invalid. And the cutting thing comes to mind again, you never are truly done doing it Eric, you are still tempted sometimes.

Can it be? yes.
Was it? there used to be no radiation, and for now, there is no cure for alcoholism..

Um Eric, there are other things besides radiation. Surgery, to have the growth removed for example.

This is hardly a debate. Someone help him. (:

not all cancers are caused by "growths."