Just got done reading the Jeff Conaway story.

Someone mentioned his "disease".

BS. Drug addiction and or alcoholism is NOT a disease.

__________________
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'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

True. NPR had a story that mentioned the WHO (World Health Organization) and its fight and progress against the "tobacco epidemic" as if it were a disease that indiscrimintly picked victims.....

well lets see what wikki says;

"A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune diseases. In humans, "disease" is often used more broadly to refer to any condition that causes pain, dysfunction, distress, social problems, and/or death to the person afflicted, or similar problems for those in contact with the person. In this broader sense, it sometimes includes injuries, disabilities, disorders, syndromes, infections. Isolated symptoms, deviant behaviors, and atypical variations of structure and function, while in other contexts and for other purposes these may be considered distinguishable categories. Diseases usually affect people not only physically, but also emotionally, as contracting and living with many diseases can alter one's perspective on life, and their personality."


I do think that addiction would come under this general definition.

If the local druggies thought though that I would offer them the same sympathy as a child with say kidney disease, they have another think coming!!!

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Troll much?

I don't think it's a disease. It's a convenient, non-scientific way to talk about it that's typically been defined by AA.

It's more like a syndrome. The definition is changing as are some of the drug dependence and abuse classifications in the latest version of the DSM-V, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder coming out in May, 2013

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'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

I guess anyone who is diseased should be insulted?

Semantics (i.e. who cares?). Someone who has an alcohol and/or drug addiction is not well. And, like many diseases, those who suffer from severe addictions need extensive treatment to be cured. Seems more of a "disorder" to me

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I'm sure that insurance companies and employers care how it's classified.

That's right. Also, another reason I never hold fast to any idea, definition or theory. Reality is always in a state of flux.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

And how I get paid. Shh.. don't tell anyone.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

no. not at all. I haven't even visited this site in well over a month. I just feel strongly about this idea. The Open Discussion of this site usually provides some intellectual feedback to make me see things a little differently. So far, it seems we are all pretty much in agreement.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

I think Craig called troll because you didn't give any more insight into your statement.... It's not a disease because ____________.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

It doesn't really matter what we "think," the DSM will classify these conditions with regard to diagnoses and treatment. That will be the basis for how providers, insurance companies, and employers handle people with these conditions. I am not familiar with the classification in the current DSM; does anyone know if these are classified as diseases or as something else?

I do know that most employers offer treatment, as opposed to disciplinary action, to employees with substance abuse issues; I assume they have some legal requirement to treat these conditions as a medical condition of some type.

I aplogize for not elaborating on my original statement.

I will just say that I have a Biology/Environmental Health background as opposed to a Social Services background.

However, my wife holds a Master's in Adult and Community Ed and has worked as a Social Worker and as a substance abuse coordinator. She agrees with me.

I spent a forgettable part of my youth abusing drugs and alcohol and have seen alot. I also see where the people that I grew up with are now. I recently lost an uncle to substance abuse.

I can go on and on. What I am trying to get at is that it is more of a condition. I tend to think more and more that a person can have an "addictive" personality. They do not have a "disease".

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

I maintain my "disorder" reference above since it is a mental issue. Granted there are obviously physiological effects of dependency (like withdrawal) since it physically affects the brain, but is not so much different than severe OCD, BDD (especially), etc. In terms of insurance its pretty much a lose-lose unfortunately. Either they pay out for treatment, or they deal with the physical effects of prolonged substance abuse...If the subject is uninsured (good chance among heavier drug users) then guess who absorbs the financial burden. In the end they all go by the DSM because its the most quantitative source available. It will be interesting to see how those definitions change.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth