Is Alcoholism a Disease?

Although you did, in the body of the article, present quotations from experts in the field, as rebuttal to Fingarette’s theories, the slant of the article seemed to be in favor of an attempt at controlled social drinking by the chronic heavy drinker.

By definition, a chronic heavy drinker is no longer able to practice moderation. In view of the medical evidence of the effects of alcohol on the body and the brain, it is difficult to understand why anyone can state that it is safe for such a drinker to continue to try.

Although there are those who claim expertise in the field of alcohol abuse treatment who may not be anymore qualified than Fingarette to address the subject, it is throwing the baby out with the bath water to categorically assume that all treatment programs are ineffective.

JOAN S. DOWNING

Irvine