Alcoholics - are their bodies addicted? Is it a disease?

A friend told me that your body does NOT get addicted to alcohol, only your brain gets addicted. Is this true? Is alcoholism a disease? Should this be used as an excuse by alcoholics that because it is a disease it's not their fault?

Your friend is wrong. DT's is not in your brain its your body.

yes, alcoholism is a disease. The whole body is addicted, and when you get off of the alcohol the whole body detoxes. And like anything else it is a choice whether to drink or not to drink.

food drugs alcohol
they are all addictions
not diseases=its their
own fault if they go back to it

There are a variety of causes for alcoholism including genetics. It varies as to how it affects individuals. Please consult the link below for additional information.

YES ALL ALCOHOLICS' BODIES ARE ADDICTED! TRUST ME MY DAD IS AN ALCOHOLIC! DONT BE AN ALCOHOLIC

No, alcoholism is not a disease or an "illness". It is a character flaw. It is often labeled as a disease because it is convenient. For instance, "I can't help being addicted...it's a disease. An illness, for Pete's sake! Don't you think if I could stop drinking/doing drugs, etc. that I would?" It's always used as an excuse...

If you don't believe me, just ask any alcoholic!!

yes addiction, no disease, or so would be smoking, over eating, under eating, over spending without control. A disease is something that needs medication to fix, if possible. An addiction takes mental strength. What kills me is all the focus is on smoking in this country. I'm sure the lawmakers in this country can't see the harm of a drink, as most of them do. It's ashame too, as statically whose gonna kill someone driving, a drinker or a smoker.. never happen though, tried in the 20's and the crime rate went out of control, and no alcohol is actually what created the mafia.......... useless facts I know..............

It ,unfortunately is a disease
your brain is addicted
because it effects your brain,your brain deteriorates and your body will eventually feel the results
because your brain is the organ that regulates all the other parts and organs of the body....the body will start to break down do to the abuse
alcoholics use anything as an excuse to drink cause they are diseased with alcohol and they can't cope without it...or at least that is how the addiction makes them feel

The American Medical Association The American Psychiatric Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Public Health Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the World Health Organization and the American College of Physicians have classified alcoholism as a disease