Why do some people think alcoholism is a choice?

[Anonymous]

[Massageman]

It IS a choice. But some situations can get SO bad that the individual has less and less control over their choices. There is some evidence of alcoholism being partly genetic, but there still is that choice to take the first drink - or NOT.

[Massageman]

Thanks for the MHO.

[Asker]

Your welcome

[DryGermanGuy]

To the same extent that obesity is a choice. No one forced you to drive to a joint and stuff your face with disgusting junk.

[MrOracle]

Did someone force this hypothetical alcoholic to start drinking at gunpoint?

I would likely become an alcoholic if I started drinking, as it runs in my family. It's true that you can't control whether you were genetically predisposed towards addiction, just like you can't control your height or natural hair color, but everyone can control whether or not the drink alcohol. You can also control whether or not you use cocaine meth or heroin or tobacco.

Yes, after a person has become addicted, it's extremely difficult to stop. We all agree. But, short of rare scenarios where a person is literally forced to start using, starting is a choice. Just because some people make their decisions without considering the likely long-term consequences doesn't exempt them from the accountability of their choices.

I don't drink. On occasion, that's gotten me excluded from some events, and a few times, I have been pressured to drink, and politely declined. Did I feel like I was missing out? Rarely, but it's happened. I just accepted that as part of the price of controlling my own destiny.

I should be clear that I have a lot of sympathy for people who are addicted to substances. It's a terrible situation and I know that recovery is difficult and painful and uncomfortable. One of my best friends was basically lost to alcoholism for 25 years, and while he's been sober for the last 20, he has still struggled. But another year drinking and he'd have been dead. I don't wish that on anyone.

But it's also important to recognize the truth of the situation, because if you don't, it's too easy to rationalize a relapse and decide that there was nothing you could do because someone else decided your fate. Your fate is your own, and will be heavily influenced by the choices you make every day.

[ohsheeT]

Because there are many people who can handle alcohol.
And they dont go as far as the alcoholic.

All drinkers start out just drinking. And they all say I can stop anytime most people who drink do drink to get drunk and stop

It's the people who keep drinking who think they can stop are the ones that dont understand the power of alcohol in there head they keep telling themselves they can stop at any time

But what they dont understand it's not in your head there becomes a point in time your head is saying one thing but your body is saying another thing your organs everything inside of you becomes pickled.

It's your body now has taken over and when that happens they can't function with out it. That's why it is so hard to stop

Your brain is saying I need to stop this
Your body is saying something else

When they do stop sometimes it's just a matter of time there body craves it and it becomes worse.

If there body is completely pickled sometimes all it takes is one beer and they are drunk but there body wants more.

Alcohol is worse than most drugs to stop.

[PeachyPie93]

It is.. just like any addiction you could choose to get help and have the willpower to stop but you choose not to.
That is one thing I will ALWAYS hold against my parents.. because my dad did stop when I was in my late 20's because he had two strokes and was worried about his health so when I begged him as a kid he could have chose to stop for me but he was too selfish. My mother still is an alcoholic and even when it turns into her fighting or being mean to us she doesn't think she needs to stop. Immaturity and no willpower will always hold you back from making the right choice.

[Purpleronnie]

Actually , I’d say it generally starts thy way , after which I’d say it would be a disease that hijacks choice.


Telling a alcoholic he can just choose to stop drinking would be like telling a person with asthma just to breathe harder


You are responsible for the recovery though


For those on the outside , alcoholism “LOOKS” like a series of bad choices but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Alcoholism feeling ‘completely trapped’ where the only escape is to drink’

[Telekinetic-Potato]

It is. Learn to say no, if you really need to join a group then drink a little less, admit you're not feeling well. People talk you into a couple shots and half a beer, after that it's your decision especially on a daily basis. Even heavy drinkers can understand that. Take accountability or lose the privilege of self regulation. It's an ugly, ugly path. I've seen it ruin people who were perfect.

[OneViewpoint]

Why do some people think they can get away with NOT owning their choices?

Not your fault huh? Who held you down and poured vodka down your throat? Who made you steal those pills? Who made you buy heroin off a street corner then stick a needle in your arm every day for 10 years?

[genericname85]

cause it is. you can't get addicted to a substance you never consumed even once. and getting addicted is also not a thing that happens like "oops, i drank beer once, now i'm addicted". you know? it's a lengthy sequence of bad decision that leads to the situation that you might not be able to get out alone. but it's still you getting there not someone else. so i'm saying it is your choice cause you could have avoided it.

[Rangers]

It is a choice, and it's a choice to stop. You have to hit rock bottom, and then stop. I did it, mine was a short term addiction, but an addiction, nonetheless.

[Nikki1989]

Drinking is a choice, alcoholism is often the end result.

[snermcger]

Of course it's a choice. Who decides to buy? Who decides to drink? Who decides to swallow?
If it's not a choice, then how can we choose not to?
This "I'm helpless against this horrible foe, alcohol" is a crock of mierda.

[LiamS95]

What anyone puts into their body is by choice so if you keep putting alcohol in your body by choice you will eventually need more and more for the same effect until you become an alcoholic and becone deoendent on alcohol.

[jshm2]

Because it is the only disease sold in bottles.

One that 99% of the Muslim world doesn't buy, and does fine as a result.

[Agape93]

Because I can choose to stop drinking but I choose to continue.

[AviatorTom]

Maybe because it IS a choice. No one forced you to start drinking.

[MrChinaski]

Why do people think being a serial killer is a choice? Same-same.

[Mike_Hum]

It's a choice to drink. Sure by the time they're alcoholics they are addicts... but up to that point, they're choosing to drink.

[foxsquirrell]

Of course it is! You might become dependent on it after, but when you start it is usually your choice. Your responsibility.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Ignorance and lack of knowledge and/or compassion about alcoholism and alcoholics.

[Sal_Monella]

It is. If I don't pour that glass, I won't be an alcoholic.

[msc545]

People use drugs in order to feel normal. Alcohol is a drug. Does that answer your question?

[blackeagle007]

It’s addiction, disease. The brain releasing dopamine is what causes cravings

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Because it is. No one is forcing them to drink liquor.

[Pterodon]

Because you choose to start drinking. Don’t take the first drink and you won’t get cravings

[PostHocFallacy]

If it wasn't a choice how do people stop drinking?

[ChicoFromThe305]

Cause it is until it no longer is

[douride2]

Because it is a choice.

[jamesgoldman]

I'd say drinking is a choice, alcoholism isn't

[jahaims]

Because it literally is a choice lol

[AngryCarl2]

Because they're not alcoholics.

[AngryCarl2]

by the way, did you know? Over 55% to 80%
of individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUD) or alcoholism have experienced at least one form of childhood trauma, such as abuse, neglect, or severe dysfunction.

[BarryLiverstone]

Because it’s a choice

[onecuriousguy2454]

I think they are weak

[wkhan_87]

Why do you think it's primary?

[Chazmatazz269]

Ignorance and bias