The word disease by definition is “a consequence of infection, inherent weakness, or environmental stress, that impairs normal physiological functioning” (Houghton 404). The word addiction by definition is “to give habitually or compulsively” (Houghton 78).

The American Medical Association (AMA) classified alcoholis

m as a disease in 1956 (Wilbanks 39). Alcoholism by definition is an illness characterized by preoccupation with alcohol and a loss of control over its consumption, such as to lead usually to intoxication if drinking; by progression, and by a tendency towards relapse (Wilbanks 39). It is typically associated with physical disabilities and impaired emotional, occupational, and social adjustment as a direct consequence of persistent excessive use (Langone 27). The American Medical Association’s finding, gave alcoholics a chance to receive help on a hospital like any person with a “real” disease. Also, the use of the term “loss of control” makes it seem as if the alcoholic has no free.

Alcohol, if it had the same criteria as heroin and LSD, would be considered a controlled substance. Alcohol has high addictive potential and causes massive economic and social changes. Americans spend twice as money for alcohol than they do for education. The direct and indirect cost of alcoholism is fast increasing, already exceeding a billion dollars annually (Fingarette 51). The cost to society on an alcoholics health care already total $18,820 Million (Cost 1). Health insurance companies are paying for the treatment of alcoholics as if they actually have a disease. This is an incredible amount of money to be spending on alcoholics, as they are the ones who preferred to drink to the extent that they became addicted.

In conclusion, society and alcoholics have been misled by the AMA’s classification that alcoholism is a disease. Alcoholics should not have the right to feel dependent on others. Alcoholics should not have the right to government assistance, at the cost of the taxpayers. Alcoholics are not helpless. They choose to drink and get drunk. They choose to pour alcohol down their throats in an effort to make themselves “feel better”. Why should we as society let alcoholics continue to ruin our lives? Alcoholics are not powerless. Their choices led them to the life they lead, and they should take responsibility for those actions. We as society have let the AMA classify alcoholism as a disease. Alcoholism is not a disease; it is an addiction.

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