TEXT: Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society, 8th Ed by Levinthal, Charles E Original Question:

For this week's Forum, respond to the following: The forum question for our consideration this week focuses on the legalization and decriminalization of drugs, including marijuana, in our society. We first looked at the arguments for and against this topic in Chapter 1 and there is a nice Point/Counterpoint in your assigned textbook readings this week as well.

Based on those readings, the readings from this week, and your reflections on your own beliefs, what is your perspective on the question of legalization of drugs, including marijuana?

Reply to the following response with 200 words minimum. (please make response as if having a conversation, respond directly to some of the statements in below post. This is not providing an analysis of the original post. Respectfully address it and even ask clarifying or additional questions.)

1. Alcoholism should indeed be viewed as a disease. The underlying disease is addiction. The subject matter of the substance should not dictate validity of the situation. We have seen time and again in our society how crippling a situation alcoholism can present. The toll it takes on the body cannot be ignored as effectively degrading one's overall health. Effectively labeling alcoholism as a disease helps to put into place the importance of medical intervention to help stop the issue.

We have to look at the classification in terms of the medications and physical aliments. Labeling alcoholism as a disease helps to set out a standard of criteria to be met in order to help a patient to treat their symptoms. We effectively know that there are a series of organ issues that happen when one is a victim of alcoholism. There are also known medications that help the individual through their symptoms. As in any addiction, the person going through the problem is a victim to their circumstances and situation.

If we label alcoholism as a disease, it also helps to improve medical intervention in the spectrum of insurance purposes. In doing so, it is also necessary in terms of treatment programs and the necessary resources being readily available to assist said individuals. Without the disease diagnosis, it would lose credibility in the medical arena. This would then slow down resource availability and make insurance coverage more difficult.

All of that being said, we also need to look at the fact that repeated exposure to alcohol in excess causes your brain to function differently. As this is the defining quality of addiction, it lends validity to the concept of a physical disease versus something an individual can effectively change on their own. If we do not label alcoholism as a disease, we are effectively overlooking the scope of the issue that excessive alcohol consumption leaves a lifetime of scars on the body.

2. Greetings classmates!

Is alcoholism a disease or not a disease? The definition of a "disease" according to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary is as follows: "a condition of a living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms" (n.d). "Alcoholism", by the same reference's definition is: "a chronic, a progressive, potentially fatal disorder marked by excessive and usually compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addiction" (n.d.).

One could argue that alcoholism does fit the definition of "disease" because it does "impair normal functioning" and is distinguished by signs and symptoms however, the definition of "alcoholism" does not mention it being a disease but a disorder. "Disorder", defined by the same source, is: "an abnormal physical or mental condition". Once again, no mention of "disease". From reading these definitions, I would say alcoholism is not a disease.

People have the choice to drink or not drink. Eventually, some people feel as if they need to drink for various reasons such as a coping mechanism, to socialize, to build up social confidence, or for fun (Smith, Abbey, Scott, 1993). If one continues, he or she may eventually become addicted. When addiction occurs, the brain and body's functioning is altered which can bring about risky behavior.

Steps can be taken to deter oneself from addiction but it entirely evolves around what the person wants. Of course external support can help with this deterrence but it is ultimately up to the individual. If the addiction is not nipped in the bud, other physical and mental health disorders that require medical attention most likely will occur. This, if left untreated, can eventually turn into something more severe and life threatening.

As I take a look at diseases, the one that pops into my head first is cancer. Cancer is where some of the cells in the body start dividing with no ceasing and extend into the nearby tissues. Cancer can be due to genetics or environmental exposures. Alcoholism has been linked to genetics but mainly a chemical imbalance in our bodies (Levinthal, 2014). So, with this in mind, is alcoholism actually a disease?

Marie

References

Levinthal, C. F. (2014). Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society. 8th edition, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). "Alcoholism". Retrieved 25 Nov 2017 from www.merriam-webster.com.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). "Disease". Retrieved 25 Nov 2017 from www.merriam-webster.com.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). "Disorder". Retrieved 25 Nov 2017 from www.merriam-webster.com.

Smith, M. J., Abbey, A., Scott, R. O. (Jul 1993). "Reasons for drinking alcohol: their relationship to psychosocial variables and alcohol consumption". International Journal of the Addictions 28(9). Retrieved 27 Nov 2017 from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

3. Alcoholism should be viewed as a disease. This is a disorder that gets passed on from generation to generation. During this week's reading I read on how they were studying to see if alcoholism could a heredity. They used children that were adopted and went to non-drinking homes and these children had biological parents who were alcoholics. It was a nature verses nurture experiment. The book stated, "results showed that a larger percentage of these children become alcoholics than would be seen in the general population".

(Levinthal, C. F. (Pg 233) If alcoholism was not a disease, then these children that later developed into alcoholics could have had a better chance to not have a dependence on this drug. This subject for me is very personal because I know I struggle with alcohol dependence. In fact, my grandmother and father are both recovering alcoholics and I know how hard it can be to step away from the bottle. People sometimes cannot control their constant addiction to this specific drug. It is consuming to those of us with this disease!

I know I have a problem because I think of having a beer and I can already taste it, the urges just do not go away. This disease like many others requires constant treatment. When users have had a bad day the first thing they want to turn to is alcohol, just to help them relax. That constant turning to alcohol can sure build up a tolerance which then can consume the individual that is trying to escape their current situation. The implications of viewing alcoholism as a disease is most people really do not know how consuming the need for alcohol is.

How consuming it is for the people that live with this disease. Most people drink to have a good night out with their friends, they can enjoy themselves and then can go back to normal. They do not just drink because their body has a constant desire to be fueled by this drug which is why it is so hard for them to understand some people need this to be able too function in their everyday lives.
Levinthal, C. F. (2013). Drugs, behavior, and modern society (8th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Please don't just rephrase their info, but respond to it. Remember to answer question at the end if there is one.