Do you really think alcoholism is a disease?

I don't care who you are. You can stop drinking at any time.

Can a person voluntarily "stop" having Lupus?

How come no one sends sympathy cards when you realize that you're an alcoholic?

Why is it that alcoholism is the only "disease" you can get yelled at for having?

People act like it's not their fault. Tell someone who is lying in a hospital bed, dying of Crone's Disease that you are just as bad off as they are because you are an alcoholic. They'd probably want to try and slap you!

point taken, I stopped drinking the day my first child was born. Maybe have the occasional social drink, maybe a special occasion, but I have not been drunk in years.
But i don't think a psychological disease or addiction is quite the same as lupus because lupus is beyond control or cure.
But Addictions can be treated.

Kudos to you!! It's an addiction and addictions can be stopped if and when a person makes the decision to sacrifice their weak wills for being a healthier person.

Wow, did you ever get out of the wrong side of the bed. You sound like you could use a stiff drink.

Mitch Hedburg quotes?
Awesome.
And no i don't think it's a disease at all.

Alcoholics live a lie. I was in hospital for 9 days with all the symptoms of crohnes but thankfully it wasnt. But, my family never visited me because they were too busy drinking. I just turn my back on their selfishness. They believe the world owes them!

Yes it is a disease, my ex husband had it and you need to go to AA meetings or a counciler. My son went to Re hab and it was fantastic, he really liked it and was a better person. It is very strict, but it is worth it. You don't get sympathy cards when you get divorced either, and it's as bad as having a death in the family as well. Nobody else can see all the pain you are going through. A fantastic book is called "Co-Dependant No More" written by Melody Beattie. If you can't find it in the bookshop, they can order it in. I read it, it was amazing. Good Luck

Alcoholism is a choice, I completely agree with you. After years and years of use however, the body does become physically addicted to it. Many people admitted to the hospital that are alcoholics have to be given sedatives and other medications because you can die from alcohol withdrawals.

It is still by their choice that they suffer from alcoholism. Also, there are many diseases that randomly afflict people, such as Lupus and Crohn's disease... however most of the most common illnesses could be prevented... such as diabetes, heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, lung cancer, etc. By far, the vast majority of people with these diseases have them because of their own behavior. They could have changed their lifestyle and prevented the disease to begin with, but didn't... so where do you draw the line between being their fault and not being their fault?

Alcoholism is a disease; scientists and doctors agree on this fact. It is also an inherited genetic trait. It is very hard for alcoholics to quit drinking and stay away from alcohol.

You should read more about addiction problems and then you might have a little more compassion for others.

Nobody sends sympathy cards because it is your own fault that it has happened. When you start, sometimes you can't stop... my Gran is an alcoholic and she has been drinking for over forty years now.

I agree totally. I had to go to an outpatient rehab class for 6 weeks for peeing dirty on probation and the counselors kept saying that these things weren't our fault because we had a disease and so on. It made me mad. Yes I went through withdrawl and everything and it sucked. Like I said it was outpatient so it's not like I stopped beacuse I was locked in a room with no access. Haven't done any drugs or gotten drunk in 2 years. Wasn't due to the crappy 12 step program or the counselors or any of that. I just decided I was done. ME. No problem just like that.
And P.S. My ex doesn't call his son for months at a time, doesn't send child support for months at a time and when I talk to his mother about this she says "Well, he has a disease and he can't stop or he would." Nah BS, stand up and be a man. Put down the drink, pick up the phone and tell your only child you love him and quit lying on BS excuses. The ONLY bill he has to pay is child support, his work pays him and for his room, board, food, phone etc. and they pay him well. But he sends us no money and flat out tells me he spent his whole check on booze and drugs and he just can't stop. Waaaaaa >:[ Puh leeze

Yes it is.

Using your logic, this would mean all mental illness is also controllable. JUST CHEER UP! We can shout at our family members suffering from depression.

Drinking is a symptom of the disease, just as sensitivity to sun is a symptom of lupus. Neither disease can be totally described by either of these symptoms.

Don't you think their is something not healthy about the brain of a person who would literally drink themselves to death?

As with all mental illnesses, people are responsible for the way they behave. That's why when an alcoholic seeks treatment they are taught accountability, among other things.

Can other addictions be stopped at any time too? Or is alcoholism the only addiction you would like to remove from the DSM-IV? What about smoking? Can smokers stop anytime they choose? If so, lung cancer death must be very enjoyable since so many people "choose" to die that way. Since we are on the topic, I've known a few people with lung cancer who have been yelled at by their loved ones.

I suggest that you extract yourself out of the stone ages and do some research.

I don't really think so... but I am no expert. (But some "experts" seem less than qualified to me!!!)