The Effects Of Alcoholism On The Alcoholic - 874 Words

The best way to fix alcoholism is to treat it as a disease that needs to be cured. Alcoholism is definitely a problem and causes harm to both the alcoholic and the people around them, but it does so in a much different way than a disease such as cancer. Instead, alcoholism is a disease of both physical and mental dependence. Most diseases are treated by surgery or medication, but the only way to fix the problem of alcohol abuse is by changing the mindset of the alcoholic. This is why Hazelden Betty Ford uses mental adjustment techniques to treat alcoholics at its centers. Their philosophy relies on the fact that the alcoholic is mentally dependent on alcohol and the only way to fix their disease is to change how the alcoholic thinks about alcohol. Drinking alcohol is also a choice, unlike a disease such as cancer which no one would choose to have. Therefore, Hazelden has to focus on showing the alcoholic how to make the choice of abstaining from alcohol instead of removing the desire like a tumor in a cancer patient. Hazelden’s understanding that alcoholism is a mental disease and their philosophy of mentally treating alcoholics at their treatment centers is why they are so successful, but the fact that alcoholism can reappear at any time makes alcoholism incredibly difficult to completely cure. Nowhere in the twelve step process is there a mention of surgery or a series of drugs to take in order to overcome alcoholism. Instead, the process outlines steps such as,Show MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Alcoholism On The Alcoholic And Their Families1382 Words   |  6 PagesThe Effects of Alcoholism Alcohol indefinitely changed my life. My husband is an alcoholic. What is alcoholism? Why do people drink? What are the effects on the alcoholic and their families? How do you know you have a problem. What is the treatment? Is there a cure? 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