[Alberta's Child]

The American Psychiatric Association used to consider homosexuality a mental disorder. In 1973 they removed it from their official list of psychiatric disorders -- not because of any new research or advances in medical science on the subject, but in response to political pressure. Cases like this are a classic example of why "the medical profession" (as opposed to "medical professionals") is often one of the least reliable sources of information for someone who is seeking an objective assessment on a subject.

A lot of folks here probably remember the infamous incident that occurred at a NY Jets football game back in January of 2004. A visibly-intoxicated Joe Namath made a public disgrace of himself during a televised interview on ESPN, answering several questions from reporter Suzy Kolber by saying: "I want to kiss you!"

What people may not have seen, though, is an interview Namath gave to Bryant Gumbel on HBO's Real Sports show late in 2004 after Namath had been through an alcohol rehabilitation program that he had checked into almost immediately after the on-air incident. That was one of the most frank, blunt interviews I've ever seen, and Namath was very clear about what his treatment involved.

"I learned that I didn't have a drinking problem," he said, "I learned that I have a Joe Namath problem, and that I would always be a drunk until I addressed that problem."

Alcoholism isn't a "disease" in the classic sense of the term at all -- it's a symptom of other disorders that could include depression or other psychological conditions.

[Stu Cohen]

Cases like this are a classic example of why "the medical profession" (as opposed to "medical professionals") is often one of the least reliable sources of information for someone who is seeking an objective assessment on a subject.

Well said.

[Jeff Head]

GREAT post.

[Glenn]

I learned that I have a Joe Namath problem, and that I would always be a drunk until I addressed that problem.

Because Namath didn't call it a disease, it is not a disease?

The pathology and progression of alcoholism is well defined. I happen to believe there is a "gay gene" as well.

Keep an open mind, eh? It will amaze you what you might conclude.

[Freebird Forever]

Alcoholism isn't a "disease" in the classic sense of the term at all -- it's a symptom of other disorders that could include depression or other psychological conditions.

Sound reasoning.

Repeated drinking to drunkenness is simply a mishandled form of self-medication.

Abstinence from alcohol is merely the first step in the addressing of the underlying problem(s).