He's saying he has a "disease." It's his addiction.
I wonder, if I'm stopped for DUI can I pull the same BS?
Naw....I'm a serf, not one of the Nobles in the US.
How in nether did we wind up with an aristocracy anyway?
The reason: he's playing the role of victim of a terrible disease. This deflects blame and makes it not his fault. Drunks use any and every excuse that might sell.
He has a behavior problem, not a disease. Jail time would help him make the connection between his behavior choices and the consequences.