Alcoholism as an Addictive Disease

A. Classification of disease of alcoholism

B. Significance to field of theology

A. Alcoholism can be controlled

C. Using results of study in ministerial counseling

Alcoholism is a primary disease that is a major problem in the United States because alcoholics endanger themselves and society. Alcoholism follows a characteristic course with known physical, psychological and social symptoms. Once addicted, the alcoholic continues to consume alcohol despite the destructive consequences.

The definitions of an alcoholic, alcoholism, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are constantly being refined and changing according to the purpose of the definition. An alcoholic can be typed by more than one set of criteria: genetic, habitual, and behavioral. All definitions of alcohol include the knowledge that the individual must have a preoccupation with the substance and use of the drug alcohol. In all cases, alcoholics must continue to use the substance even though they are aware that continued use of alcohol is harming them. The abuse of alcohol causes problems for all members of the family, and can be viewed as a public health problem as well. When the genetic component is present, the alcoholic individual exhibits other abnormal behav

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ems in the United States rose 40 percent to $98.6 billion. Reduced or lost productivity and premature death accounted for 71 percent of this cost; medical care for more than 10 percent, and crime for nearly six percent (Alcohol Health, 1993). For most individuals, the regular consumption of large amounts of alcohol is undesirable from the standpoint of health. Heavy and chronic drinking is associated with numerous diseases including liver disease, pancreatitis, cardiovascular diseases, a predisposition to infectious diseases, and alcohol-related birth defects. Alcohol-related deaths are another health indicator used by public health officials. Nationally, alcohol contributed to 100,000 deaths in 1992 (McGinnis & Foege, 1993). A combination of biological, psychological and cultural factors contribute to the development of alcoholism in any individual. Although there is no conclusive indication of how the alcoholism of family members is associated, the majority of alcoholics have had a close relative who is an alcoholic. Some researchers suggest, therefore, that certain alcoholics have an inherited physical predisposition to alcohol addiction (Fitzgerald, 1991). To date, researchers have not been successful in developing an ac
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Approximate Word count = 1758
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

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