Is alcoholism a disease? This is really the best question and answers on this issue I have ever seen. Dr. Kevin McCaulley pioneered his film "Pleasure Unwoven". It is shown in treatment centers and outpatient programs everywhere because it is so well done!!!
A fundamental question regarding ALCOHOLISM.
I especially like this video. Probably this is the argument that is most fundamental to the recovery process. Therefore, he asks "Is alcoholism a disease?". I attempted to discuss this in my article "True Recovery".
It's a very complex question. To understand this, you have to understand things fundamental to life. You come across philosophy, medicine and religion. Addiction is a disorder of the brain. Using the background of Utah, he shows the analogy to the brain.
The brain:Is alcoholism a disease really?
The midbrain and the frontal cortex are the 2 areas that makes a difference.
Finally, Dr. Mc Caulley finds there are there better explanations that are based in science. Because he turns complex neuro-scientific concepts, easy to understand, he gives hope to families.
Everything hinges on this question and answer. Is it really a disease? He was in a great position to question this since he was himself a recovering addict/alcoholic. As a patient, he worked for the next 10 years to find out the answer to this question. This resulted in his film.
An old west analogy about choice and the disease
I really like the old west play example he gives when he shows a bar room scene. It shows the excruciating choice that occurs when trying to stop using alcohol or drugs. Therefore, if there is enough of a threat, someone can stop. Temporarily. Most importantly, however, there is a different between symptoms and behavior. Punishing someone for the symptoms is not the answer. We don't hold people responsible for the symptoms. All behaviors are choices. Free will does exist. Addicts/Alcoholics are capable of not using if they are motivated to not do so.
The answer about the disease of alcoholism
Because when we take into account the brain, we have the answer.
The brain shows that our capacity for choice is far more complicated and fragile than we thought. This is the disease of choice. It's the disorder of the very things in the brain that we need to make proper decisions.