In Sickness & In Health: Alcohol Awareness Month

Modern medicine considers alcoholism a disease but there is still much that is not known about its causes. 

Experts tell us part of the problem is that drinking is socially acceptable in many parts of our society.

"It's part of religious ceremonies, it's part of social functions - births, deaths, marriages, church services.  Alcohol has been incorporated in all of those things.  So you can easily see because of the social implications how difficult it would be for someone to stop since it's involved in almost every aspect of a person's life almost,” said Dr. Joseph Giannasio, a psychiatrist at Castle Medical Center.

Some diseases are passed on through heredity. 

Is that the case with alcoholism?

"It is a factor,” said Giannasio.   “It's not the sole factor though so that probably 50 to 60 percent of people with alcoholism have some genetic pre-disposition but there's also a significant number who don't."

We have heard the term "addictive personality" when it comes to alcoholism.

"People use that term.  It's not a real entity but clearly people do have issues in terms of compulsive behaviors whether it be with gambling, food or drugs and alcohol, said Giannasio.

With all the research being done, has a medication been developed that stop a person from drinking?

"There are medications that can be utilized to help in dealing with addiction.  There's no particular that will actually stop someone from having the compulsion or drive to drink, but there are some medications that could help reduce the urge to drink,” said Giannasio who recommends that any treatment program involve support from family, friends and professionals.