A Comparison of Two Types of Treatment for Alcoholism Essay -- Biology

A Comparison of two Types of Treatment for inebriantism One of the largest debates in the study of alcohol addiction is the aetiology of the disorder. The prevailing theory today seems to be that inebriety is a disease, a biological affliction that can only be ameliorated by abstention or medication. However, there are those who believe alcoholism has its roots in environmental influences and that the disorder is a maladaptive pattern of behavior. The two main methods currently employed for treating alcoholism reflect the foundations of the two main theories. possibly the most widely known method is the Twelve gradation curriculum created by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) (1). Underlying this process is the belief that alcoholism is a biological disease that can never be cured, nor can it up to now be hindered without the use of external forces(2).. Members of AA are required to admit that they are powerless to fight alcoholism and need to relinquish control to a power greater than ourselves. (3).This power can take any take for the adherents to the program, yet there is repeated mention of God and other aspects of Christian spirituality(4). More relevant to the topic at hand is the belief that alcoholism is a biological disease, which can be inferred from the acknowledgement that help with alcoholism can only come from God. This implies that alcoholism is out of ones own detention and thus should not be considered a character flaw or an aspect of personality it also implies that alcoholism is something more intrinsic to the individual. In fact, the Big Book, the handbook of AA, states that alcoholism is a medical disease. (5).. Indeed, there is a substantial amount of evidence to support this assertion this is based on tre... ...h in U.S./Canadahttp//www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/em24dc14.html2)The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymoushttp//www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/em24doc6.html3)A Newcomer Asks http//www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/ep24 doc1.html4)The 12 Step Cafhttp//www.12steps.org/Brochure/12step/STEPS/STEP1.htm5)The Doctors Opinion http//www.recovery.org/aa/bigbook/ww/doctors_opinion.html6)Neuroscience Research and Medications Developmenthttp//www.niaaa.nih.gov/please-note.htm7)Alcoholismhttp//www.noah.cuny.edu/wellconn/alcoholism.html8)Animal Models in Alcohol Research http//www.niaaa.nih.gov/please-note.htm9)Children of Alcoholics Are They Different?http//www.niaaa.nih.gov/please-note.htm10)The Genetics of Alcoholismhttp//www.niaaa.nih.gov/11)Treatment of Alcoholism http//www.mentalhealth.com/mag1/p5h-al10.html