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Is alcoholism a disease?

A critical review of a controversy

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Abstract

Commentators have repeatedly attacked the traditional view that alcoholism is a disease. Their arguments that alcoholism is a central aspect of life, a deviant life style, or a form of learned behavior are examined in the light of the history and philosophy of medicine as well as current bio-behavioral research. Our conclusion is that alcoholism, as a lawful pattern of observable signs and symptoms that deviate significantly from a norm of health, is a bio-psychosocial disease.

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  1. Dept. of Psychology, UCLA, 90024-1563, Los Angeles, CA

    Irving Maltzman

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Maltzman, I. Is alcoholism a disease?. Integr. psych. behav. 26, 200–210 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02912511

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