Is Alcoholism a Disease?
I really believe Fingarette’s statement that he has done “no experimental or clinical research on alcoholism . . . and is in no way committed in the field,” which currently includes such institutions as the Harvard, Yale, Stanford and Cornell medical schools. His observation that “almost everything the American public believes to be the scientific truth about alcoholism is false” makes him an intellectual candidate for “Wheel of Fortune.”
His question, “Why should my opinion count?” would be very funny if it were not for the fact that a percentage of the public, young people especially, read this kind of book, practice what it espouses and, if they are alcoholics, endanger their lives as a result.
MARY C. A. GILLIGAN
Los Angeles
Gilligan is executive director of the Alcohol Information Center and co-chairwoman of the Episcopal Commission on Alcoholism, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
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