Alcoholism has clear, definable symptoms, like other diseases.
Alcoholism can be diagnosed accurately and its progression can be predicted. Most importantly, the alcoholic can be successfully treated and rehabilitated. Alcoholism IS an identifiable biochemical disease, like diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, or heart disease. It IS NOT an illness like a headache, upset stomach, or just having too much to drink. Alcoholism IS a disease that tends to create and magnify social and emotional problems rather than a disease that is caused by them.