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Sociological Aspects of the Disease Concept of Alcoholism

  • Chapter
Research Advances in Alcohol and Drug Problems

Part of the book series: Research Advances in Alcohol and Drug Problems ((AADP,volume 7))

Abstract

On August 19, 1981, the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp carrying the message, “Alcoholism: You Can Beat It!”, including a caduceuslike symbol associated with the National Council on Alcoholism. Drawing from publicity releases concerning the stamp, the New York Times “Stamps” column for August 9 included, along with a thumbnail history of drinking and a favorable mention for the NCA, the following

Alcohol has been a pleasure to drink and a problem to mankind since the beginnings of ancient civilization. Alcoholism is a disease, until recently a hidden and unrecognized disease.

In the last several decades, there has been a growing recognition that alcoholism is a medical and not a moral problem, and that it is a disease that in most cases can be treated effectively. There has been a marked change in the public attitude toward it.

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  1. Alcohol Research Group, Institute of Epidemiology and Behavioral Medicine, Medical Research Institute of San Francisco, Berkeley, California, 94709, USA

    Robin Boom

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© 1983 Plenum Press, New York

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Boom, R. (1983). Sociological Aspects of the Disease Concept of Alcoholism. In: Research Advances in Alcohol and Drug Problems. Research Advances in Alcohol and Drug Problems, vol 7. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3626-6_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3626-6_2

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