huh. I made no money off my mom's alcoholism. BTW, my mother was a patriotic American...she entered nursing school in the 40s, and then joined the WAVES. I speak from first hand knowledge and experience that this IS a disease.
What is the medical basis of that statement? If I have a twin brother who is an alcoholic and I am not, is there a tangible difference between our conditions (a virus, bacteria, genetic anomaly or other pathogen) that can be clearly identified and diagnosed by a medical doctor?
As others have noted on this thread, there is often a deliberate blurring of the line between "disease" and "behavioral disorders" on this issue.
Nah...not a disease...just one of many mechanisms people use to continue being selfish and deal with life and lifes choices incorrectly. You could replace alcohol with drugs, sex, food, workalcoholism, etc.; they all can be depended upon the same way. Calling it a disease just takes away personal responsibility...thats just not right...ever.
Perhaps alcoholism IS a disease, but if so, it is a self-induced disease which makes it unusual.
I think it is important to distinguish between a drunk and an alcoholic. A drunk has a behavior problem and an alcoholic has an addiction. A drunk can quit drinking without having withdrawl symptoms.