Introduction
There are many theories linked with alcoholism: genetics theories, Exposure theories, and adaptation theories. Each of these categories of ideas has subcategories and meanings. Some consider alcoholism a disease. According to the NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism), the definition of alcoholism is "a diagnosable medical condition in which an individual's alcohol consumption causes harm or distress (Dual Diagnosis, 2017). This paper will discuss the theory of Genetics and alcoholism is inherited, and alcoholism is a disease.
Genetic?
Cigarette smoking, religion, and obesity can run in families. Alcoholism is another trait that can be passed down in a family. The quality of alcoholism can be four times more likely in biological families than in those who were adopted(Peele. 1998). Other research was studied to find connections between genetics and alcoholism. However, Peele did not support this conclusion. Villiant and Milofsky found that in the inner city, those who had alcoholics in their family had a likelihood four times to become alcoholics than those without alcoholic relatives (Viallant and Milofsky 1982). This shows that adolescents who watch family members consume alcohol are very vulnerable to following in the footsteps of their relatives. However, Villiant did find that those with alcoholic relatives who did not reside in their household were twice as likely to follow in those footsteps than those with no alcoholic relatives at all (Peele, 1998). Alcohol influences all of those around it. Not only if you drink it, but just watching it can play a role in children's lives.
Disease
E. M. Jellinek is referred to as the "father of the disease theory or model of alcoholism" (Dual Diagnosis, 2017). Jellinek's theory consists of stages that drinkers progressively pass through:
Pre-alcoholic phase, includes social drinking, when drinkers often start to develop a tolerance for alcohol and drink to relieve stress or feel better Prodromal phase, also considered the early-alcoholic stage where blackouts begin to occur, the drinker begins to drink alone and...
