Alcoholism could be disorder the way depression is. An imbalance in the brain that leads to some poor choices. Everyone still has to be responsible for the choices they make, but some people may have a greater struggle when it comes to certain things.
It's not the sole cause of why people drink... but a multitude of mental things that can make one more inclined to choose to drink. Some start drinking because of heredity, some start drinking because of life pressures - some are just inclined towards it. Most start young, much like smoking. So teen pressure and societal cues can start it all. It's based on a lot of factors, along wth predispoistion. Edit: Also, in an indirect (maybe moreso direct) way, people do go to the store and buy cancer... smoking. But again for all the reasons I explained above.
Really, so you'll continue this type of shit even in a serious conversation. You know what I meant. Choosing to drink and smoke is NOT a disease. Not fair to use that term. It's a weakness and a choice.
There are genetic factors to alcoholism, which suggests that it's a lot more complicated than just "being a weak person."
Pretty much what I am trying to say, too. Alcholism is definitely a multi-faceted addiction, as well as any other addiction.
It's easy to think that way if you haven't had to fight it. Coming from a heroin addict father, you grow up thinking that you'll never become addicted to something. But life comes at you fast. And every person has a different experience. Alcohol for me is fun until it becomes not fun anymore. And that happens pretty quickly. I'm not going to blame anyone else but myself for that, but it's not so cut and dry either.
It is - with variability - It's known that people don't have a full frontal cortex (used for decision making) until the age of 25. And all the stupid decisions we make in high school? Smoking in high school (we had a smoking tree just off school property) and drinking were very common, and where a lot of people get their addiction started. So while I agree with you that it's a CHOICE, I will however give you caveats as to why people have a tougher time in life with it (and not in totality). When we're in our teens and early 20's, we make a lot of choices not based on our long term future. And if you look at most of the people who do grab this disease (or however you want to say it) it will most likely start with friends in high school or to combat personal issues with high school. And having hereditary issues on top of that, its very combustable. All I'm saying is, a lot of people who are afflicted with this started before they could make solid life choices for their long term betterment, and that makes it even more sad.
Inheriting it is not a choice. Maybe you can avoid drinking all your life, but you would still have it in your blood.
Also a very valid point. which is what I was saying I agreed to. It's ALWAYS a choice to start - but sometimes we make a choice without thinking long term or with the right decision making processes available to you. (high school life, etc)... but the having a choice in no way ever says you aren't inhertied with it... and that choice is always there - so there's a struggle either way.
Lots of things are choices, that doesn't mean a disease or disorder isn't influencing those choices. It's not binary, one or the other.
It is a choice. But it often times doesn't feel like a choice to an addict. It is like speaking a completely different language. I write this while purposely not driving to the store to get alcohol. But, I want it.
Yep. Same for someone addicted to smoking (in whatever capacity), gambling, porn, etc. And like I pointed out earlier - it often starts when we aren't "fully grown" adults (25, essentially)
And this is why I called Lawson an asshole. We both struggle with control over alcohol, but I don't drive and potentially harm other people.
addiction is the key word...can apply to any compulsive behavior....tobacco is the worst probably...a lot of folks lack will power....tobacco kicked my ass early...alcohol I keep in perspective...not an addict....but tobacco is one day at a time for the rest of my life bro...going on two years now without
I drink alot of alcohol but not on my own, I just enjoy going to the local pub that where I live is most of the social life. I also smoke way too many cigarettes and although I don't smoke grass regularly I love smoking marijuana very much.
