Why is alcoholism referred to as a disease instead of just an addiction?
The “disease” of alcoholism is no longer thought of as a subjective diagnosis, but as a medical diagnosis of a brain disorder. Medical research reveals that genetic make-up, hormones, brain chemistry and enzymes play a role in making the alcoholic different from other drinkers. • You said that alcoholism is a progressive disease. Can you explain that further? Alcoholism progresses in 3 distinct phases. There is the early-adaptive stage, middle stage and the late-deteriorative stage. In the early stage, also known as the honeymoon stage, the alcoholic feels good. Alcohol is working for them. It is helping them to feel better than they do when they are not drinking. The middle stage the alcoholic needs to drink more and more to achieve that early stage euphoria. This leads to a variety of problems in one’s life and in one’s health. At this stage the alcoholic has to drink to avoid withdrawal symptoms, even though they may not be aware of that fact. Denial is a strong dynamic in alcoholis
