Alcoholism...Disease or Choice? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Retro4Life · 02-27-2011, 05:54 PM

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?

Janice · 02-27-2011, 07:58 PM

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.

catlover79 · 02-27-2011, 08:16 PM

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.

Retro4Life · 02-27-2011, 08:21 PM

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.

Retro4Life · 02-27-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

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.

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.

catlover79 · 02-27-2011, 08:26 PM

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.

Marvo301 · 02-27-2011, 08:27 PM

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.

Retro4Life · 02-27-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

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.

Retro4Life · 02-27-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

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.

Marvo301 · 02-27-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

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

Thank-you!

ZeldaGilroy · 02-27-2011, 09:47 PM

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.

Retro4Life · 02-27-2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeldaGilroy

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.

ZeldaGilroy · 02-27-2011, 10:41 PM

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

dakert · 02-28-2011, 12:54 AM

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

catlover79 · 02-28-2011, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeldaGilroy

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.

I never drink for the same reason as you. I always knew you were strong, but WOW!!!!

02-27-2011, 05:54 PM	#1
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Alcoholism...Disease or Choice? 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?
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

02-27-2011, 08:16 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	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.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

02-27-2011, 08:27 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	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.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-27-2011, 09:47 PM	#11
ZeldaGilroy Dobie and Zelda Forever!!! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 14, 2000 Location: I don't know...I'm probably lost! Posts: 4,144	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.
	__________________ *Formerly FactsFan* "I always carry a spare wedding ring. A single girl never knows when lightning may strike." ~Zelda Gilroy

02-27-2011, 07:58 PM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	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.

02-27-2011, 08:21 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	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.

02-27-2011, 08:26 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	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.

02-27-2011, 10:41 PM	#13
ZeldaGilroy Dobie and Zelda Forever!!! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 14, 2000 Location: I don't know...I'm probably lost! Posts: 4,144	^Thank you. I am sorry about your brother as well.

02-28-2011, 12:54 AM	#14
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	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