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Why alcoholism is not a disease.
1National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Kensington.
The Medical Journal of Australia
|February 3, 1992
Summary
Problem drinking is not a disease, even with physical dependence. A social learning perspective, not the disease concept, is more effective for intervention and public compassion.
Area of Science:
- Addiction studies
- Behavioral science
- Public health
Background:
- The disease concept of alcoholism is widely accepted.
- This concept influences public perception and treatment approaches.
- Alternative perspectives may offer more effective solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To argue against classifying alcoholism as a disease.
- To evaluate the utility of the disease concept for intervention and public attitude.
- To propose an alternative framework for understanding problem drinking.
Main Methods:
- Critical analysis of the disease concept of alcoholism.
- Review of empirical evidence related to alcoholism.
- Argumentation based on social learning theory.
Main Results:
- Excessive drinking can cause disease and dependence without alcoholism being a disease itself.
- The disease concept is not necessary for medical intervention or compassionate care.
- Both specific (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) and general disease concepts are empirically unsupported and hinder early intervention and public empathy.
Conclusions:
- The disease model of alcoholism is ineffective for prevention, treatment, and fostering public understanding.
- Problem drinking arises from interactions between individual personality and learned social behaviors.
- A social learning perspective offers a more effective and compassionate approach to problem drinking.