Alcoholism

[maebeth]

I diverted a discussion over on MsRowen's livejournal because of my concern over alcoholism. I implied a biological component to alcoholism (or more accurately disagreed that alcoholics "desire" alcohol) and she replied with this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_ParkRead more... )

Comments

[dbang]

I have no research handy, but when I studied addiction in school I discovered that there is good, sound research to support EVERY possible model of addiction.

I roll my eyes at people who insist that one model is THE TRUTH. The biological adherents who insist that alcoholics are born, not developed...and the environmental people who say there's no biological component...etc. I'm totally convinced that the models are over-simplifications that might be somewhat useful in some settings but don't even BEGIN to get at the "truth".

So I would argue with vehemently with your dissing people who use the phrase "become an alcoholic".

[catya]

I have textbooks on this at home, some on my shelf and some in a box in the attic. Want to borrow?

[maebeth]

No, I was really looking for what people THINK about this, and what are their sources for their opinions. I'm sure the answer is more complicated than any of the individual resources suggest.
And it was obvious that my casual understanding had missed a major view point, so I wanted to know if there are other views out there I'm missing.

Someday I want to know more, but these days no time!

[catya]

the biological model talks about immediate physical addiction and withdrawal symptoms.

the familial/genetic stuff is i suppose what one would refer to as the inheritance model ?

neither are givens - there are lots of models.