Alcoholism is defined as a “primary progressive, chronic fatal disease” (Estes). It is often questioned whether alcoholism is an actual disease at all. A disease is a heath problem that is involuntary and drinking alcohol and developing alcoholism can be considered a voluntary action. Alcoholism is the persistent and excessive use of alcohol that is a habit that turns into a fatal problem. Drinking alcohol is a personal choice made by a human being on their own. These people drink until they become dependant on alcohol, then the drinking turns destructive; not into a disease. The drinker does not lose control over consumption, like one loses control over a disease; their free will is still there. We should not forget the amount of alcohol that is voluntarily consumed. An estimated twelve million college students drink over four hundred million gallons of alcohol a year, that is about is 3,300 Olympic pools filled with alcohol alone. We control drinking alcohol; alcohol does not control us.
Many people feel alcoholism is inherited through genetics, but it has not yet been proven scientifically. The discovery of a genetic gene would be very beneficial. It would help identify people at risk, help to learn about the development of alcoholism, and it may help to discover better treatments because people could better understand
alcoholism. Alcoholic parents are the strong influence on their children. So rather than being hereditary, it is learned just as a child learns morals, how to dress, and how to behave from their parents. Therefore, some believe it is just picked up by children through their surrounding environment. Researchers are still investigating
the possibility there is a genetic gene. Recently, they have been researching twins. They think that identical twins, having identical genes, would both develop alcoholism or they both would not develop it. However, fraternal twins are more likely to differ in developing alcoholism. A child who has an alcoholic parent has four times more chances to become an alcoholic. However, there is no genetic or biological explanation as to why people decide to drink. We just know that once the decision is made, some people react biologically and find it more difficult to stop drinking.
“Disease” is a word that generates employment benefits like workman’s compensation, paid sick leave as well as government benefits. The cost of alcoholism, whether it be direct or indirect, is increasing fast. The amount of money spent on alcoholism annually exceeds 90 billion dollars. Government statistics show that the largest area of economic loss is the goods and services that were lost due to alcohol-troubled workers not being able to fully do their jobs. Another big bulk of money is spent on alcoholics’ health care expenditures. The health insurance companies pay the treatment an alcoholic needs; treating alcoholism as a disease. Therefore, United States citizens have to pay a lot more for their health insurance. The treatment centers and hospitals spend a great deal of money on alcoholism as well. One treatment center, The Alcoholism Treatment Center in North Carolina, offer many different types of help for alcoholics and their families. They provide outpatient services, as well as inpatient services. Some of their services are for pregnant women suffering with alcohol dependency, family counseling and people who have developed a disability. There is a cost to the alcoholic for the services but “the costs vary and are determined by an assessment of a person’s ability to pay” (Brooks). Therefore, if the alcoholics cannot afford to pay they are not forced to and they still receive equal services. State and county funds, Federal grants, and third party payments support this treatment center. The people who pay often do not suffer from alcoholism.
Alcoholism is not only costing everyone more money, it also kills many people each year. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and alcoholism claims alcohol is the fourth major health problem in the United States. Heart disease is first, cancer second, and mental illness third. “Alcoholism is also the third leading cause of death” (Davison). The estimated amount of deaths a year in the United States alone is over ninety thousand.
Alcoholism is a part of at least ten thousand accidental deaths a year; at home, on the street, and in the work place. The United States Department of Justice Report on Alcohol and Crime discovered alcohol was involved in forty percent of violent crimes committed. Half of all fatal automobile accidents are alcohol related. In 1999, there were 5,005
drunk driving and traffic offenses. The attacker, the victim ,or both are under the influence in about half of all the homicides that occur. In addition, one third of boating accidents and drownings have alcohol present.
Aside from all of the crimes and accidents that cause death, alcoholics develop diseases that cause them to die. The liver breaks down the alcohol in ones’ body, so it is damaged with the consumption of alcohol. Liver disease, particularly cirrosis, lowers blood sugar in the body because the liver cannot convert stored glycogen into glucose. The liver cannot adequately remove drugs, alcohol, and dead red blood cells from the blood stream. The liver also cannot produce the enzymes used for fat digestion, for blood clotting and bruise prevention, as well as for maintaining healthy cells. Therefore, liver disease is serious and alcoholics can die from this. Another fact about alcoholism is primary male sex hormones, may be significantly affected in alcohol addicted patients. “Alcohol decreases the production of testosterone and converts some of the metabolites of testosterone into estrogenic substances (female hormones)” (Davison). Therefore, males may experience less hair grow, breast enlargement and decreased testicular size. Excessive drinking over many years also harms the muscles and bones, intestines, heart and brain.
Other than the crimes and disease that cause deaths we cannot forget the birth
defects and premature babies that alcohol abusers cause. Alcohol can cause serious
damage to an unborn child. It has been discovered that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) occurs in almost all pregnant alcoholics. FAS is a serious health problem that effects everyone and is completely preventable. Babies with FAS do not weigh as much as normal babies when born. These babies usually have smaller heads, deformed facial features, abnormal joints and limbs, poor coordination, and eventual problems with learning. “Victims of fetal alcohol syndrome often experience mental health problems, disrupted school experience, inappropriate sexual behavior, trouble with the law, alcohol and drug problems, difficulty caring for themselves and their children and homelessness.” (Hanson).
It also has become a legal argument. People argue that alcoholics should be excused of their bad behavior while under the influence. In 1968, in the case of Powell, the court said alcoholism is a not disease and alcoholics should not be excused for their
crimes while intoxicated, because they are not in control; the disease is in control. This
probably would be different today. Just imagine if a drunk drove and killed an innocent family, they could use the excuse “I have a disease” and get away with their crime. That is not morally right. There are other cases that have occurred and these cases show how alcoholics use the word “disease” to escape their misconduct and get away free.
Finally, it is not right to let alcoholics and society think alcoholics are helpless
because they have a disease. Alcoholics use the “disease” as an excuse to excuse them from legal matters and give them benefits that cost American citizens a lot of dollars every year. Society should not have to help pay for treatment and they should not have to keep losing lives when the alcoholics drink while pregnant or while driving a car intoxicated. People who drink alcohol beverages choose to do so and should have to pay for subsequent actions. Although I believe that alcoholism is truly a disease, I think we should all remember that this particular disease starts as a personal choice.
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