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Alcoholism is a Disease

Alcoholism is possibly one of the most misunderstood diseases. It has been defined as a disease or illness by the American Medical Association. Cancer Web defines alcoholism as a disorder which is characterized by a pathological pattern of alcohol use that causes a serious impairment in a person's ability to function at work or socially.

A disease is an alteration of the state of the body or some of its organs which interrupts or disturbs the performance of vital functions and causes or threatens pain or weakness. Alcoholism is not a lifestyle choice. It is a disease and it actually impairs the body's health which prevents normal functioning and causes pain not only to the alcoholic but also to the alcoholic's friends and family.

Alcoholism is chronic, progressive, incurable, and results in the loss of control. It is chronic in that it can last a lifetime if a sick person does not receive help and treatment. It is progressive in that the disease will not get better if it is ignored and given time. Alcoholism will get worse if it is not treated. In addition, alcoholics can relapse after having only a single drink. This is true even if the alcoholic has been sober for an extended period.

Alcoholism is also incurable. A patient who has "recovered" from alcoholism can never go back to "normal" drinking. For this reason, many alcoholics who have stopped drinking choose to consider themselves "recovering" rather than "recovered." It is a constant battle not to relapse. An alcoholic can regain a normal life but only with the complete and permanent abstention from the consumption of alcohol.

Alcoholism results in a loss of control. The alcohol will control the body, not the other way. After a recovering or recovered alcoholic takes a drink, there is no way to determine whether the drinking pattern will be "normal" or will result in a complete relapse.

If your alcoholism has caused you to be arrested for driving while intoxicated, please contact the Dallas DWI defense lawyers of the Law Office of Mark T Lassiter at 214-457-1668 to discuss your situation and to determine the best plan for your defense.