Alcoholism Is the Result of a Conscious Decision

First I had to shout agreement with Richard Vatz and Lee Weinberg for their article (Editorial Pages, Aug. 11) debunking the popular myth that alcoholism is a disease. Then I had to laugh at the rebuttal letters (Aug. 30), which sought, but so ineffectively, to attack Vatz and Weinberg’s position.

Alcoholism may indeed be a chemical dependency. And it certainly has identifiable physical effects on the body. But it is not a disease. To me, a disease is something you catch, either by accident or unknowingly as a byproduct of a normal, innocent activity. (Construction workers exposed to asbestos without their knowledge is a perfect example.)

Alcoholism you buy. It gets advertised. You don’t go into the store and buy smallpox in a six-pack. Tuberculosis is not advertised on TV. Indeed, because of their cancer-causing properties, tobacco products are banned from TV ads.

Alcoholism is the direct, absolute result of a conscious decision. Every time anyone takes a drink, he is gambling that the end result will be alcoholism. Similarly, alcoholism is not cured by medical treatment. It is not excised like a tumor, casted like a broken bone, or destroyed by antibiotics. Alcoholism is both created and defeated by an act of will. People stop being alcoholics because they decide to stop drinking, and for no other reason. It is a test of will, not a test of the wonders of modern medical science.

The reaction to Vatz and Weinberg’s article was predictable for two reasons. First, a lot of people make a lot of money “curing” alcoholics. Second, the premise of the article is that we, as a society, look for excuses to absolve us from the consequences of our actions. We are reluctant to face issues dealing with our own weaknesses. It is so much easier to say, “it’s a disease,” therefore it’s not my fault.” The implication is that becoming an alcoholic isn’t a matter of choice. It is.

JESS MONEY

Redondo Beach