Tyler Baze - put the whiskey down, son

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Danzig

'Many physicians reject the disease theory of alcoholism. One study found that only 20 percent of physicians believe that substance addiction is a disease. In addition, 55 percent believe that there is "no effective treatment" for it.(T. McLellan. R-Considering Addiction Treatment: How Can Treatment Be More Accountable And Effective? A Continuing Medical Education (CME)Course. Cranston, Rhode Island, Association for Medical Education and Research on Substance Abuse, 2006.)

Another study found that only 25 percent of physicians believed that alcoholism is a disease. The majority believed alcoholism to be a social or psychological problem instead of a disease. (S.I. Mignon. Physicians' Perceptions of Alcoholics: The Disease Concept Reconsidered. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 1996, v. 14, no. 4, pp. 33–4

A survey of physicians at an annual conference of the International Doctors in Alcoholics Anonymous reported that 80 percent believe that alcoholism is merely bad behavior instead of a disease. (Barrier to Treatment. Alcoholmd - Information About Alcohol and Medicine)

Dr. Thomas R. Hobbs says that "Based on my experiences working in the addiction field for the past 10 years, I believe many, if not most, health care professionals still view alcohol addiction as a willpower or conduct problem and are resistant to look at it as a disease." (T.R. Hobbs. Managing Alcoholism as a Disease. Physician's News Digest, 1998.)

Alcoholics Anonymous says that "Some professionals will tell you that alcoholism is a disease while others contend that it is a choice" and "some doctors will tell you that it is in fact a disease." (Alcoholics Anonymous. What Is Alcoholism? http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.com/...alcoholism.htm)[42]'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease..._of_alcoholism


not trying to change minds here at all. just want to show that it's not a clearcut decision amongst physicians. which probably explains why some of us aren't sure it's so clear cut either.

The medical profession was still considering homosexuality a mental illness in your lifetime, too.

I think what boggles the minds of non-alcoholics is that it seems so simple- just stop drinking, right? But in the mind of an alcoholic it just doesn't work that way.

This is pure woo speculation on my part, but I do think there's a difference in brain wiring for people prone to addiction, and sometimes I wonder if it's more likely in people with a higher tolerance for adrenaline/stress. My dad is amazing in a crisis. Amazing. Calm, clear-headed, insightful. It's everyday life he can't handle.

And when it comes to jockeys, these are men and women who are happy to get on a fragile animal traveling at 30 miles an hour, knowing they are going to break bones several times in their career. You have to be an adrenaline junkie to want to do that.