The disease concept of alcoholism: its impact on women's treatment

The disease concept of alcoholism has had a dynamic impact on attitudes, policies, and treatment orientations. Despite its demonstrable effects on changing behaviors and belief systems, it remains both an acceptable and controversial entity amongst researchers and treatment personnel alike. This report provides a current focus of the disease concept as its applies to the characteristics and experiences of women alcoholics and their treatment. It especially targets the need for empowerment in this population and questions whether this important trait can be developed by the disease concept's emphasis on illness and the sick role, which inadvertently validates the feelings of powerlessness and helplessness of these women who already have been intensively socialized in dependent and subordinate roles.