There's been a lot of publicity about substance abuse in the news lately, with Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan constantly on the TV and elsewhere. I just saw Bill O'Reilly say he thought it was a "choice" to continue abusing substances, and it made me wonder what everyone else thinks.

I had a brother who died from alcoholism, so I've got some experience with the disease, though I'm no more of an expert than anyone else. From my point of view, based on the ton of scientific evidence, I think that BEING an alcoholic is indeed a disease. There's just too much evidence that once your body has enough of some addictive substances, it changes your brain chemistry and pretty much makes you a slave to your desire for them.

However, you do always have a choice to seek treatment, and if you refuse to do that, it's on you. I loved my brother dearly, and I didn't blame him for being an alcoholic, but I did blame him for allowing it to continue without seeking help.

Anyone else?

I believe it's a disease, as does the AMA. A heartbreaking disease at that. I'm sorry about your brother, Retro. I know that terrible feeling of losing a loved one that way, and it all seems so senseless. I lost one sister to drugs, and another sister to alcoholism. They left behind three teens whose lives will never be the same. Nor will mine. There's no love like a mother's love.

They both wanted to stop, and they did here and there, but it always came back with a vengeance. Who would choose this hell; the shame, the way it takes over your entire life? Many are in denial, so it appears to be a choice, but I don't believe it is, at all.

My uncle, who died this past July, was an alcoholic. He was in a fraternity in college and got hooked on booze that way. He battled through that and was sober for the last 3 or so decades of his life. He still went to AA meetings and was very involved with helping others through their struggles. I also have a friend, born the same year as my uncle, who has been sober for several years now and he came from a family of alcoholics. He had a very high profile job and self-destructed for several years before going to AA and turning his life around. My friend quit booze and cigarettes at the same time, and while it was a struggle, he said it was one of the smartest things he ever did. :cool: :D

I'm sorry about your sisters, Janice.

You're right about the devastation the death of an addict leaves behind. My brother had two children (now adults) and to this day they ask me questions about him, things that he was never able to share with them, and I just have to try to guess as to how to answer sometimes.

It's strange, at the time I got so mad at my brother but I somehow knew on some level even then that he was suffering more than I could imagine. It was just so frustrating that he wouldn't seek help. I've come to terms with it, and him, in the past few years, but there's question marks everywhere and you are right; it's such a senseless tragedy. My aunt kept repeating "it's such a waste" right after he passed, and she was right.

We have a hard time dealing with psychological illnesses as "diseases" but that's what they are. And no one ever really knows the depths of sadness involved except the sufferer and the families.

My uncle, who died this past July, was an alcoholic. He was in a fraternity in college and got hooked on booze that way. He battled through that and was sober for the last 3 or so decades of his life. He still went to AA meetings and was very involved with helping others through their struggles. I also have a friend, born the same year as my uncle, who has been sober for several years now and he came from a family of alcoholics. He had a very high profile job and self-destructed for several years before going to AA and turning his life around. My friend quit booze and cigarettes at the same time, and while it was a struggle, he said it was one of the smartest things he ever did. :cool: :D

So sorry about your uncle, Monika. It's great to be reminded from time to time that there is hope out there, that it's possible to control, if not cure, this terrible disease.

Exactly. I'm not sure if there's any other history of substance abuse on either side of my family, but in any case I have chosen not to drink. I think it's better to be safe than sorry. I'm also sorry to hear about your brother, and Janice, about your sisters. It has to be terrible to see family members you love so much self-destruct like that. :(

My brother-in-law is an alcoholic. He goes to AA hand has been sober for about 8 years now. Based on observing his life for the last 23 years i have to agree with the rest of you that alcoholism is a disease.

Exactly. I'm not sure if there's any other history of substance abuse on either side of my family, but in any case I have chosen not to drink. I think it's better to be safe than sorry. I'm also sorry to hear about your brother, and Janice, about your sisters. It has to be terrible to see family members you love so much self-destruct like that. :(

Yes, the sense of powerlessness is incredible. The situation wears on you, as well, and you begin to become part of the whole matrix.

I never drank, either, partly because of that experience, I'm sure.

My brother-in-law is an alcoholic. He goes to AA hand has been sober for about 8 years now. Based on observing his life for the last 23 years i have to agree with the rest of you that alcoholism is a disease.

Glad to hear that your brother-in-law is doing better Marv. Here's to his continued success. :cheers:

Glad to hear that your brother-in-law is doing better Marv. Here's to his continued success. :cheers:
Thank-you!

Most definitely a disease.

My father battled this his whole life. My brothers battle it now (one through AA which has given him back his life, the other two not so well which has cost them their families and landed them in jail many times.) My younger sister has a mental illness and when she is off her meds, she also turns to alcohol to self-medicate.

I think some people have addictive tendancies before they ever take their first drink. For that reason, I NEVER drink. I am so afraid of becoming an alcoholic and what that would do to my life and my family. Some people don't understand when I say "no" to the occasional drink, but I just can't take that chance. :(

Most definitely a disease.

My father battled this his whole life. My brothers battle it now (one through AA which has given him back his life, the other two not so well which has cost them their families and landed them in jail many times.) My younger sister has a mental illness and when she is off her meds, she also turns to alcohol to self-medicate.

I think some people have addictive tendancies before they ever take their first drink. For that reason, I NEVER drink. I am so afraid of becoming an alcoholic and what that would do to my life and my family. Some people don't understand when I say "no" to the occasional drink, but I just can't take that chance. :(

Very sorry about your dad, brothers, and sisters struggles, Zelda.

I agree about some people being predisposed toward the disease. It makes sense, genetically.

Not drinking hasn't exactly made me the most popular person on the planet, but I'm very happy with my decision. It's saved me a ton of money and probably a ton of grief and I never felt like I really missed a darned thing.

^Thank you. I am sorry about your brother as well.

If people are sick with addictions, habits etc...--they should get help. If not they are just selfish SOBs!!!!!!!
If people have cancer (disease) they go to the doctor

Most definitely a disease.

My father battled this his whole life. My brothers battle it now (one through AA which has given him back his life, the other two not so well which has cost them their families and landed them in jail many times.) My younger sister has a mental illness and when she is off her meds, she also turns to alcohol to self-medicate.

I think some people have addictive tendancies before they ever take their first drink. For that reason, I NEVER drink. I am so afraid of becoming an alcoholic and what that would do to my life and my family. Some people don't understand when I say "no" to the occasional drink, but I just can't take that chance. :(

Wow, I never knew all that, Billie. :bighug: I never drink for the same reason as you. I always knew you were strong, but WOW!!!!

Wow, I never knew all that, Billie. :bighug: I never drink for the same reason as you. I always knew you were strong, but WOW!!!!
Thanks Monika! :bighug: to you too!

Oh its definitely an addiction all right. Speaking as someone in recovery, it reaps horrible destruction. BUT what is sad is that it's not a level playing field, for some its much harder than others. I was lucky, while it was no picnic the urges mostly went away after six months. But the disease is always there - you have to stay on top of it-like any disease. I always go to meetings and if I'm having a hard time I ratchet up the frequency, make lots of phone calls and ask for help. And give it when I can too.

Sadly some people just can't stop with their particular addiction; it's just too strong. I have a wonderful Aunt and the only way she stopped smoking was when she had a stroke and couldn't put a cigarette to her mouth. After that she finally quit.

Sounds like my own aunt - my deceased uncle's wife. She was a heavy smoker for many years until she suffered a heart attack in 1995. The doctors warned her to stop smoking immediately, which she did. I'm proud to say that Aunt Pat has not picked up a cigarette in over 16 years. :D

I think it's a disease. I think alcoholism and drug addiction are horrible things to have to witness and/or go through. Growing up around it is a terrible price to have to pay. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I think alcohol and drugs turn people into someone they might not other wise be.

My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones to drugs and/or alcoholism. It's so sad and unfair to those left behind.