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From: licsak@hsi.UUCP
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Subject: Re: Urinalysis...Lie Detectors...all th
Message-ID: <348@hsi.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 8-May-86 13:20:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: hsi.348
Posted: Thu May  8 13:20:36 1986
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Organization: Health Systems Int., New Haven, CT.
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> >  Alcoholism is a disease that someone is born with; it is often heredetary.
> 
> Perhaps.  I don't believe this either.  The problem is that once someone
> has developed a habitual behaviour it is near impossible to eradicate it.
> You can force yourself into abstinance or rationing, but the habit is still
> there.  This is something that psychiatrists admit that there is currently
> little hope for.  The best they do is help people cope with the habit.
> 
> -Ron

Alcoholism was defined as a disease by the AMA in 1955. It is NOT a behavioral
habit. What is learned can be unlearned. Alcoholism is being physically 
addicted to a drug and the symptoms of withdrawal are very much the same as
withdrawal from any other drug, such as heroin. And, yes, there is more
evidence to the theory that alcoholism can indeed be heredetary.

If it was a behavioral habit, everyone who regularly attends "happy hour"
after work, or regularly drinks at parties, would soon become alcoholics.
No one knows for sure, yet, why some drinkers become alcoholics and others
don't. The same as why some people are cancer victims and others aren't.

 Don
-30-