Addiction has also been described as a pathological relationship to a substance, person, behavior or process. The idea that addicts are weak willed or morally corrupt has long ago been debunked. That attitude keeps chemically dependent people from seeking treatment and fosters shame and fear around their illness. Addicts medicate shame, fear, anger and pain. Chemically dependent people feel enormous shame as it is - adding to this shame is not only cruel, but may spur greater use.
Alcoholism is a form of chemical dependency.
Alcohol and nicotine are the most common drugs of dependency in the United States. At base the disease is the same, it is merely the drug of choice that differs. Select this link for more information about the Disease Concept . Untreated addicts and alcoholics often refuse to accept the disease concept, clinging desperately to the notion that addiction is a matter of willpower. This relates to their shame, denial and desperate need to prove that they are in control.