is alcoholism an addiction or disease
For many decades it's been widely accepted that alcoholism (or addiction) is a disease. The disease concept is taught in addiction training programs and told to patients in treatment programs. It is unquestioned by public figures and the media. agree that addiction is not a disease, but believe that it IS an illness. The reward-seeking element can rapidly disappear, even if this is what got an addict started in the first place. This is rapidly replaced by a physical need, mainly a need to avoid the intense pain of withdrawal.