Is alcoholism a disease?

To the Editor:

"Is Alcoholism A Disease?"

I hear so much today about alcoholism being a disease that I find myself disagreeing strongly with this definition. In my honest opinion I believe the public is sadly misinformed. Nevertheless, I've decided to give my opposing view.

To accept the term disease is to eliminate most of the responsibility for the Alcoholic. Thus, giving him/her a guiltless feeling as a victim of circumstance, while identifying oneself with many who have real diseases. Then it becomes easy to rationalize the problem by blaming someone or something, which in turn incites little desire for recovery: Alcoholism causes descention [sic], and at times the eventual breakup of marriage, family, and friends, whereas real diseases are generally not detrimental to character.

If alcoholism is a disease . . .

1. It is the only disease that is contracted by the act of the will;

2. It is the only disease that requires a license to propagate it;

3. It is the only disease that is bottled and sold, and thereon requiring stores and advertising to spread it;

4. It is the only disease that produces revenue for the government;

5. It is the only disease that is habit-forming;

6. It is the only disease without a germ or a virus cause;

7. And, the only disease that must be fed continually with alcoholic beverages, to sustain it, lest it cease to exist.

Last but not least, the Bible is considered by some to be an authoritative on this subject, wherein alcoholism is often denounced with impending complications. I'm not aware of any place in Scripture where alcoholism is referred to as a disease. In fact, the New Testament mentions it in the category of "the works of the flesh" as drunkenness. Whereas it is also written: ". . . They which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:19-21). Surely if alcoholism is a disease, it would not be listed comparably with other vices and sins. Therefore, it's obvious to me that it's not a disease--but an addiction with a moral scourge.

Joe J. DePriest

Poplar Bluff, Mo.