Sorry I have not had time to reply sooner. I take your point but I am still not convinced that you can blame AA for the label. Is this an American thing as that is where the fellowship originated? Have you read this definition of the word "disease"?A disease is an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions. In human beings, "disease" is often used more broadly to refer to any condition that causes discomfort, dysfunction, distress, social problems, and/or death to the person afflicted, or similar problems for those in contact with the person. In this broader sense, it sometimes includes injuries, disabilities, disorders, syndromes, infections, isolated symptoms, deviant behaviors, and atypical variations of structure and function, while in other contexts and for other purposes these may be considered distinguishable categories. While many diseases are biological processes with observable alterations of organ function or structure, others primarily involve alterations of behavior. Classifying a condition as a disease is a social act of valuation, and may change the social status of the person with the condition (the patient). Some conditions (known as culture-bound syndromes) are only recognized as diseases within a particular culture. Sometimes the categorizaton of a condition as a disease is controversial within the culture. Therefore I think alcoholism qualifies as a disease! What I can tell you is that the vast majority of alcoholics are not the drop-outs we see in their mucky macs but ordinary men, women and youngsters many of whom hold down responsible jobs and apparently lead "normal" lives. It is a vast problem and people will not address their alcoholism until they are "sick of being sick". If the want is not there, they will not get better. Sticking them in rehab, drying them out and then bunging them back on the street is NOT a solution. Those people who think alcoholics can wean themselves off drink are wrong too. As son as an alcoholic has one drink the compulsion to continue is set off. I have every sympathy for people like our EMT Tom, doctors, police nurses etc who are on the receiving end of the worst behaviour possible. I wish they could ignore the persistent offenders and leave them to their own devices. Perhaps they would seek help more rapidly instead of being enabled to continue along their not-so-merry way. There is a world of difference between problem drinking and alcoholic drinking. I do not see problem drinking as an illness in the same way that alcoholism is. Many people resort to drink to help them through a crisis and, with appropiate help, can learn to modify and control their drinking pattern. For an alcoholic ( who, lets face it, has to be mentally ill to behave the way they do), it is all or nothing. Sorry. I am getting on my soap box. That's all for tonight!