Is Alcoholism a Disease or Simply a Choice?

Nothing causes the most seemingly sane, rational, calm person to lose their shit and have an opinion more than these eight words.

We live in a society that says it encourages understanding, compassion, empathy, non-discrimination yes that alcoholism is a disease but that is not how it is treated. It just isn't and that's the truth.

It is just easier to deny since our society is built on the social aspect of alcohol. We justify it, we make excuses for it, and we disregard that 88,000 lives are lost to alcohol each year in the U.S. alone, because it is a “choice.”

Society doesn’t accept people that they consider drunks, the truth is they don’t accept people that are sober either. I would know; I haven’t had a drink myself in over 20 years. I challenge anyone that believes they know what it is like to remain sober in a world of stigma and judgment to try it for themselves for just one evening. The glares, the whispers and the occasional “What is wrong with you?” Wrong with me. Why would something have to be wrong with me?

I am so proud to be a part of a recovery movement. A face and a voice as everyone has been silent for far too long. Anonymous-we all know that word. I don't want to be anonymous, in fact quite the opposite is true. My outspoken attitude makes some people uncomfortable-and that's ok. Uncomfortable gets people talking, uncomfortable challenges people on their beliefs.

We see huge promotional campaigns worldwide raising funds and awareness for diseases. Millions walk with big bright pink bows supporting breast cancer, buckets of water on Facebook supporting ALS research, prostate cancer and parkinsons. Everywhere we turn there is a cause, a rally. I can't even go to Walmart or buy an ice cream at a local drive thru without being asked to donate. But until now nothing really to bring attention to Addiction. Why is that? That isn't really a question.

We watch in the media as mayor Rob Ford unravels in Toronto due to an addiction, and he instantly becomes worldwide news and the butt of all jokes on late night TV. Would they do that if he had Alzheimer's? Why is this ok?

How about the girl that tells me that alcoholism is simply a choice. No one would actively choose this life, not for themselves, certainly not for the ones they love. When I calmly ask the question back, "If your mother or grandfather smoked for 20 years and got emphysema, is that what you would say to them?" I am met with an awkward silence. Of course not. And that loved one would immediately get all the medical attention they need, for as long as they need it, FOR FREE. (In Canada anyway).

You know someone I know very well said to me "Your brother was a junkie and deserved to die, he had more than enough chances." I am not going to spend my life arguing, debating, letting people break my spirit for the truth I know and believe with all of my heart. It doesn't surprise me that we live in a world where some believe this, what surprises me is that we live in a world where it is ok to say it out loud. What I remind myself when I speak of addiction is that this way of thinking is not at all about my alcoholic brother's character, it is about theirs.

Are you part of the solution or are you part of the problem? That is a choice.

Jodee Prouse is the author of the upcoming addiction book The Sun is Gone

She is a motivational speaker Alberta and you can visit her website at www.hopeandhumility.com