Not Just a Choice

The Journal of the American Medical Association categorizes alcohol as a drug and defines alcoholism as “a primary, chronic disease characterized by impaired control over drinking.” While many people believe people “choose” to drink, one must acknowledge that those who suffer from alcoholism have an uncontrollable drive to drink. Individuals who experience alcohol dependence, and withdrawal should be encouraged to get help. There are a diverse number of treatment programs for alcoholism as the condition itself it so varied. Individuals who believe their condition is a medical one should seek different treatment than other individuals who see their dependency on alcohol as a social choice. Although there are a wide range of treatment programs, they all focus on helping people stop their use of the drug alcohol and sustain a healthy life.