Disease Vs Moral Model

Alcoholism (sometimes called Alcohol Use Disorder in the technical literature) is, essentially, defined as a dependency on alcohol for an individual to function in his/her daily life. The condition is related to but distinct from "alcohol abuse". In the latter case, an individual may be said to have a drinking problem, but s/he is not dependent on alcohol, i.e. alcohol is not a required part of that person 's life. This is an important distinction to make as often

From the website, Patient Info, recently presented a discussion in whether alcoholism is a disease or a lifestyle choice. One blogger expressed her opinion about how alcoholism is genetic and that parents, about how it is genetic that anxiety and depression is inherited from parents leading, to becoming an addict. But the blogger by the name of andrew69055 stated, “People would do well to work more on resolving anxiety and depression rather than using alcohol disease as an excuse…People need hope and motivation and the handed out excuse that it’s a disease is destructive….It removes all sense of guilt and responsibility. Cancer is a disease which the patient, apart from a positive attitude relies completely on the medical profession for their recovery. To put alcoholism and addiction in the same context is an insult to the cancer patient.” Like this blogger stated alcoholism should not be categorized in the same defense as cancer. Alcoholism is a life choice that people make in life. People are at free will to choose how they live and every move that they make.

Since the consumption of alcohol is necessary to develop alcoholism, the availability of and attitudes towards alcohol in an individual's environment affect their likelihood of developing the disease.

One out of every thirteen adults are considered to be an alcoholic or to suffer from drinking problems. Alcoholism is a developmental disease that progresses slowly over a number of years and is based on both the physical and emotional dependency on alcohol. In many cases it leads to brain damage or early death. Alcoholism is a chromic disease, which means that it will last a person’s lifetime. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced by both a person’s genes and their lifestyle.

To begin, research of genetics has shown some information on how genes support alcoholism being a disease. Genetics and the brain are connected as other organs, such as the heart and genetics are connected (Nurnberger). People can inherit heart diseases from their parents through their genes. There is no difference with alcohol. Alcohol damages the brain cells and can increase the chances of a child to become more dependent on alcohol. According to Nurnberger, “For alcohol dependence, about 50 percent is related to genetic factors and the other half to environmental factors, such as availability of alcohol and cultural factors” (Nurnberger). Although environmental factors play a high role in alcohol consumption, genetics, as shown, have played half the role. People become dependent on alcohol, and not only can it be hereditary to pass the gene to increase the chances of becoming an alcoholic, but alcoholism can even cause a change to other genes to possibly cause depression and anxiety problems (Nurnberger). Saying that alcoholism is not a disease when it can be passed through genes and alter other genes would be like saying autism is not a disease or disorder. The reason is because the brain is genetically altered, like alcoholism, and it can change other

I think that although genetics are involved with my cousin’s disease, I feel that the larger factor involved is his learned behaviors from his family and friends. He now lives with his dad in a drinking environment where it is accepted and encouraged. I think that his social factors played a huge role in his alcoholism. He has been exposed to alcohol in his home life as well as the pressures from his peers. Not only is he drinking with his dad, but all of dad’s friends. When he is exposed to alcohol abuse constantly, it is an increased likelihood that the behavior will be repeated by my cousin. It is difficult for him to stay away from bad drinking habits when he is surrounded by an atmosphere of drinking. On weekend’s I believe their motto is “Let the good times roll”.

However, there were some words of wisdom that was shared with me by a former addict. They informed me that alcoholism is not an illness itself, but a symptom of a bigger and deeper problem. I was amazed when I thought of it that way, that alcohol is simply the drug that addicts utilize to help them cope with a difficult issue. This opens up an entirely different way to treat an alcoholic. One must see that the drug is not the true problem, but something greater is,

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines alcoholism as a chronic condition which is mainly characterized by excessive and compulsive consumption of and dependence on alcohol as well as nutritional and mental disorders. This definition depicts alcoholism as a disease that is beyond one’s control. It has however been argued in some circles that alcoholism is a choice and the idea of alcoholism as a disease is a myth. Since it is an individual choice to take alcohol, alcoholism is a consequence of free will. Both sides of the debate are discussed in this paper and it is my conclusion that there is strong evidence that suggests that alcoholism is a disease that needs treatment.

I agree with you that the disease model depiction of genetic factors can be more supported in funding than as seeing addiction as an immoral misconduct. In this case, genetic factors contribute more to a medical view thus creating a health concern. Addicts/ alcoholics based on the disease model are seen more as a victim struggling to overcome their struggles with a disease. Furthermore, I agree that the answer to solving addiction or alcoholism is abstinence, however, society still depicts individuals that once were addicts and now are abstinence as always an addict. However, addicts that have overcome their addiction also feel guilt and shame due to the stigma that society has created about addicts. Additionally, the disease model does lack

• Alcoholism is an addictive disease process characterized by: Craving and compulsions Loss of control Continued use despite adverse consequences

Alcoholism has raised many debates over the truth of its nature. Many scholars argue that alcoholism can be treated as a disease. Such approach to defining alcoholism means denying that alcohol abusers own a choice. In consequence, the treatment related differs and may or may not actually help alcoholics recover. A wrong diagnostic of this addiction can lead to serious health issues; therefore, it is vital to answer the following question: Is alcoholism a disease? Most experts in this field criticises this view of alcoholism as a disease due to the fact that this theory simply lacks a cure. It also victimises alcohol abuser, hence, completely negating the power of will. Finally, the disease theory comes from a history of misinformation that has now resulted in the very source of confusion within our society. Alcoholism is extremely complex and affects all part of the abuser, the brain, the body, the genes, and the psychic; hence, it is hard to classify alcoholism as a whole Instead, it should be regarded in a case-by-case fashion.

There are two central debates that often arise when speaking of addiction ; either addiction is a disease caused by the brain, or addiction is a matter of weak will. In comparison the disease model would take responsibility away from the addict and place it on biological reasoning ; the weak will model, would ultimately condemn the addict and place blame on the addicts decision making process and thus blame the addict for their behavior.

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) is a health condition that is diagnosed when alcohol abusers use alcohol to an enormous extent. AUD entails alcohol addiction, and many people who have AUD struggle with alcohol consumption. This disorder is related to alcoholism, or alcohol abuse. The symptoms of AUD include cravings, a strong need to have a drink during the week or weekends, loss of control involving not being able to stop drinking, feeling out of control, shaking, anxiety, withdrawals, and nausea. Alcohol tolerance is the most significant symptom of AUD because an alcoholic will drink an enormous amount of alcohol to feel the effects. Tolerance has a lot to do with the persons drinking history and genetic inheritance (Swift,

In health care, a foundation in ethics is very important because people such as, patients, families, and healthcare professionals face difficult decisions, in particular medical treatments, which involve moral principles, religious beliefs, and professional standards (Purtilo & Doherty, 2015). Doctors aren’t the only ones in the healthcare field upholding ethical standards like the Hippocratic oath; health care administrators also “play an important role in facilitating decisions about patient care, particularly when the situation is one that might contain moral and ethical dilemmas” (Saint Joseph’s University, 2016, para. 10). Recent issues have made having a foundation in ethics is very important such as genetic testing prior to birth or end-of-life care. Practicing and making ethical decisions is a double edge sword; not everyone is going to agree with the decisions made. I believe that someone can still be a good person when making ethical decisions, but they shouldn’t let it play a big factor when deciding what’s best for the patient. At the end of the day when making tough medical decisions, we have to ask ourselves what’s best for the patient because that’s really who the decision is affecting.

Alcoholism has been a major problem in society for a number of years. In fact, alcoholism should be compared to a virus. This is because a person can never be completely cured from alcoholism; they can only fight the battle, day to day, hoping not to relapse. When it comes to the etiologies, or causes, of alcoholism, there seems to be three distinct origins of alcoholism. These causes are genetic factors, dependency caused by brain chemical imbalances after long-term use, and social and emotional factors.