[Glenn]

You can't use a detox ward and a rehab facility as supporting evidence that alcoholism is a "disease," then turn around and immediately shrug off what Namath himself learned in his rehabilitation program (in what was likely one of the most respected and effective alcohol rehabilitation facilities in the United States, too).

If you would go to a detox ward and rehab center, you would understand that it is called a "disease". The Namath quote did not exclude that, did it? He simply spoke that which he came to conclude via rehab. It's part and parcel the desired result. A way to deal with the disease.

[Alberta's Child]

It's part and parcel the desired result. A way to deal with the disease.

There's also a very realistic possibility that calling alcoholism a "disease" is part and parcel of the desired result -- a way to deal with self-destructive human behavior.