by Gullscorer » 06 Feb 2014, 14:08
ferrarilover wrote:Is alcoholism a recognised mental illness? :devil:
Matt.
It should be. Or at the very least, the prevailing orthodoxy (that because an alcoholic is to blame for his or her own condition he or she should want and ask for treatment before being offered any such help) should be challenged. Many alcoholics, if not most, suffer from depression which either precipitated the descent into alcoholism or was caused by it.
In all other cases of what is normally regarded as mental illness, if a person's condition is such that it is causing a risk or danger to himself/herself or to others, he or she is liable to be forcibly restrained from the behaviour brought about by the condition, and treatment imposed whether or not that person has sought it.
Why should it be any different for alcoholics who cannot help themselves because of their condition (and a similar case could be made regarding drug addicts)? As many die from falls and injuries as from the alcohol directly, and will be a danger to others if driving. They may or may not have put themselves on the slippery slope, but the fact remains that most alcoholics cannot help themselves and are in no position mentally to seek help. And, despite being in desperate need of help and treatment, they are instead blamed, derided or ignored.
[quote="ferrarilover"]Is alcoholism a recognised mental illness? :devil:
Matt.[/quote]It should be. Or at the very least, the prevailing orthodoxy (that because an alcoholic is to blame for his or her own condition he or she should want and ask for treatment before being offered any such help) should be challenged. Many alcoholics, if not most, suffer from depression which either precipitated the descent into alcoholism or was caused by it.
In all other cases of what is normally regarded as mental illness, if a person's condition is such that it is causing a risk or danger to himself/herself or to others, he or she is liable to be forcibly restrained from the behaviour brought about by the condition, and treatment imposed whether or not that person has sought it.
Why should it be any different for alcoholics who cannot help themselves because of their condition (and a similar case could be made regarding drug addicts)? As many die from falls and injuries as from the alcohol directly, and will be a danger to others if driving. They may or may not have put themselves on the slippery slope, but the fact remains that most alcoholics cannot help themselves and are in no position mentally to seek help. And, despite being in desperate need of help and treatment, they are instead blamed, derided or ignored.
