Alcoholism: Drug Abuse Facts

Question: What are your thoughts about how society caters to people with self-inflicted "diseases" like alcoholism?

(Posted by: Neo Draven on 2009-09-16 10:06:28)

Lately, everything is a "disease " or "illness ". You're not a drunk; you have a disease that makes you drink too much. You're not an overeater; you have a mental illness that makes you eat way too much. You're not just a pill- popper; you have a chemical dependency disease. I feel like our society is cowtowing to weak people, and just making them even weaker. Every time the APA convenes and invents the new diseases for the year, there's always a new program or drug, ready- made to combat the new illness that was just invented. This also causes people to make excuses for their vices. An alcoholic who is forced to go to AA meetings is immediately brainwashed and tricked into joining a religious cult that pretends that they don't support any organized faith (yet, many of the 12 steps are religion- based). An alcoholic is basically being tricked into abandoning one addiction for one that's much worse and more dangerous. I feel that people should be accountable for their own actions, but even more importantly, they should be honest with themselves, and self- actualizing. The more tools we give people to not take personal responsibility, the weaker we, as a nation, become. I also refuse to believe that a self- inflicted addiction or compulsion is a disease. Sorry. That just can't happen. If you remove the object of addiction from being accessible, BAM! No more addiction. There's the "cure " for your "disease ". So, specifically regarding things like ADHD, Alcoholism, most forms of behavioral dependency, and practically EVERY new mental malady that has been "discovered " (read - made up) in the last century; what do you think about the entire concept of labeling behaviors to give people an easy out? No, I am not an alcoholic. I don't believe in such a thing. Now, weed? I am most certainly, totally and wholeheartedly addicted to weed. You can't even GET physically addicted to weed, but I managed it. If you cut me, I bleed green smoke. See The Moon - You are such a douche, man. Don't you have anything better to do? I am not talking about my personal problems. I am inviting a discussion about how America is getting softer because everyone gets their butt powdered whenever they do something wrong. Get a friend.

Posted by: JAN on 2009-09-16, 10:23:18

I think alcoholism is actually pretty real... I know that some people can be weak-minded and feel like an "alcoholic " but I actually know people who are true alcoholics and the struggles they have to control it is pretty intense. I think you can tell by their tolerance level, alcoholics can usually consume 3x more than the normal person... and they don't really have a "limit. " I understand what you're talking about though, how we keep catering to people with addictions and treat them as if they "can't help it, they are programmed this way and their actions aren't all their fault. " The one condition I think is complete horsesh*t is being a SEXOHOLIC. I mean c'mon... really...

Posted by: Monti on 2009-09-16, 10:12:26

Well I think some people really do have ADHD, and need to take care of it. Now, for the rest of your question I totally agree. Especially with the overeating thing. People just need to develop some will-power and stop letting things like this make them weak.

Posted by: Thius on 2009-09-16, 10:15:24

I am also compelled to believe that alcoholism is not a disease. It is simply an addiction but definitely not a disease.

Posted by: No Wing Militia on 2009-09-16, 10:15:32

If people are that self destructive then I am not inclined to stand in their way unless their problem becomes other people's problem. I abhor the society that elevates the victim and absolves him of his responsibility. They do it for rapists and everybody...enough of that sh*t. Time to try a different apparoach as this touchy feely/ not your fault crap isn't cutting it.

Posted by: xaxorm on 2009-09-16, 10:15:49

In general, I don't think the purpose is to give people an easy way out. It makes sense to address an addiction as a disease of the mind or of the one's behavior IF that makes it easier for the sufferer, victim, addicted person whatever to solve their problem. This has come about because of a change in perspective: It is evident and acceptable for our culture to now acknowledge that people are not necessarily in control of their minds and their behaviors. I happen to believe that has always been true: Nobody is in total control of themselves. But the tendency to want to admit that is new. And I agree that, in some cases, it allows people to just feel sorry for themselves and others, rather than dealing with the problem like responsible adults. "It's not me, it's my mind! " More's the pity.

Posted by: zaphod84 on 2009-09-16, 10:20:31

I agree. If you make them out to be diseases you can sell treatment for it.

Posted by: Speed, Madness, Flying Saucers on 2009-09-16, 10:31:17

Sorry, Neo, although we are kindred spirits in some ways (trust me Dude, weed withdrawal is a cinch: when you sleep at night, you have the most pleasant, living color dreams and then before you know it the phone is ringing with some news), I don't agree with your premise about catering to the self-inflicted. By this line of logic, as person, in a moment of compassion, who assists an injured dog only to be bitten and later to find that he has contracted rabies, should not be "catered " to or sympathized with. Is it OK if his treatment team gives him Valium to relax his muscles so the contractions won't be quite as agonizing? Or would that be catering to a self-inflicted, and therefore self-indulgent medical crisis? What about the suicide who blows it, and manages to survive his gunshot wound? Should he be on the D list in terms of medical attention because he was crazy enough to do that. Now, let's get to alcoholism: you can't hold alcoholics 100% responsible for their addiction, which is indeed a disease, as the brain chemistry and liver functioning have been gravely impacted, because it is almost universally available and affordable. It is common knowledge that people don't set out to be alcoholics: it happens gradually. They are completely unaware, because the alcohol is making their system run and that feels right to them (like their physically OK). Therefore, the alcoholism, an addiction, indeed needs to be handled as a disease, so that the patient's central nervous system and liver can hopefully recover or at least be salvaged. Lot's of things are self-inflicted: obesity, debt, what Kanye West did the other night to his stinking career; however, some require compassion and a degree of accommodation to prevent suffering. Once a person is an alcoholic, they are virtually powerless to stop unless they're lucky enough to have some kinda epiphany about how to live. I would think in these troubling times of unemployment, lots of people are drinking far more than they should.

Posted by: suckmykiss on 2009-09-16, 10:33:31

Just like weed smokers lol they use it for their health! I agree chic

Posted by: Doodle on 2009-09-16, 10:34:18

Medicine is big business! There is so much money in pharmaceuticals why would they not continually prescribe? My god mother is seeing 5 different doctors to get her cocktail of prescription crazy pills. She has mental problems but these pills have made her an animal. She takes them not as they are prescribed and manipulates the doctors. I have seen her go progressively down hill for 13 years and we no longer talk or see each other. Doctors these days look for diagnosis then prescribe...that is how they make money! Their aim is not fixing broken people...it is trying to cure them with drugs. Think of the medical advances we have made in 50 years or even 1! Lack of preventive care and education plague the American people with mental and physical illness. DRUGS, OVER THE COUNTER AND PRESCRIPTION, IS THE THIRD LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN OLDER PEOPLE. This is deplorable and shows that these drugs are not helping people but hurting them. I am not against drugs just the ineffective and dangerous ones such as Tylenol. ALCOHOLISM IS A DISEASE! My father, grandfather, and best friend are all alcoholics. They are sick and need help because obviously they cannot help them selves. Alcohol is a dangerous drug that society deems okay. It's not okay we need to help people suffering from drug addiction of all kids. Finally, try not to judge people. There are so many people out there that need help...try to help them in anyway you can. We are all brothers and sisters in the crazy life together.

Posted by: unix on 2009-09-16, 12:21:59

Discipline ... spare the rod and spoil the child/ jail for self abusers..... interpret that a you will... there would be less crime, period/ full stop!

Posted by: Watermelon Nerd ~ Dust Buster on 2009-09-16, 13:50:52

I have seen a lot of kids with alleged ADHD benefit greatly from an asswhooping and having priveleges taken from them. I have seen alcoholics stop drinking solely because they decided to start taking responsibility for their own actions. I am a fatasss who decided to take control of my eating habits and make exercise a habit. I am tired of people not taking responsibility for their choices. Weed is more of a psychological addiction, I believe. I believe that you may feel like crap when you don't smoke, and are a bit edgy and whatnot? My s/ o is like that.