The disease is often progressive and fatal. Go here for the full definition . Only a committee of doctors could come up with this long of a definition. Here is some more information on denial . Another Empty Bottle examines the question of disease or learned.
Many falsehoods surround alcoholism.
Learn some of the facts. Great resource if you're writing a paper on alcoholism. The debate over whether this is a disease or a socially-learned addiction. Ending the Disease Model Controversy Phillip Ziegler, MFCC, continues discussion of alcoholism as a disease of the body or a disease of the soul.