"Alcoholism is an illness"...

[Carrot]

Probably not going to make many friends on this thread, however after reading about the latest 'Gazza' event and loads of people in the news defending his 'illness' etc, this is actually a subject that angers me somewhat.

To me, whether you are addicted to something or not, you choose to do it. I was a smoker for many years (gave up two years ago), and although I was addicted, it was my choice to go out and buy the cigarettes and smoke them no matter how you look at it.

I have known friends and family to die of cancer, a proper 'illness' in it's own right. These people don't choose to have the symptoms of cancer or not, and they can't give up having cancer either.

Interested in the consensus of the forum, do you see an alcoholic as someone with an illness or a disease, or do you see them as someone who lacks willpower and judgement?

[Carrot]

twing said:

Impasse said:

Are you also one of those who think people with depression should just snap out of it?

Well said that man

Not at all, people with depression have physical symptoms within the brain that the sufferer cannot control. You don't start drinking depression juice to get depression, therefore it is outside of your control to stop it.

[Carrot]

Impasse said:

Are you also one of those who think people with depression should just snap out of it?

Are you one of those people that think the obese are a victim of society and it is not their fault?

[Carrot]

Corpulent Tosser said:

desolate said:

I am not sure what constitutes a "proper illness"

I can be sure that a Carrot is a "proper vegetable" though.

How very childish.