General Discussion

lunatica

(53,410 posts)

74. There's a difference between having the disease and chosing to drink while driving

Sun Jan 10, 2016, 02:10 PM

Jan 2016

Many alcoholics don't drive and drink, yet they're still alcoholics, even when sober. Drinking makes you drunk, not necessarily an alcoholic.

But alcoholics, if they're aware that they're alcoholics can choose to drink and drive based on knowledge of the disease.

Also, many non alcoholics also drink and drive. Even in full knowledge that it's illegal.

I think if the medical community would change the concept of alcoholism as a disease by changing the word 'alcoholism' to 'addiction to alcohol' it would help deal with the issue. Addiction is the issue. The addiction to alcohol is as strong as the addiction to any other type of drug.

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If alcoholism is a disease as proclaimed by the AMA, why should the diseased [View all] Photographer Jan 2016 OP

They shouldn't be, elleng Jan 2016 #1

Very true. Photographer Jan 2016 #2

Alcoholics aren't jailed for alcoholism. They are jailed for driving drunk, or aikoaiko Jan 2016 #3

And the reasons for driving that way or commiting that crime? Photographer Jan 2016 #5

Are you saying that the person who drives their car head on into the vehicle of another, killing MADem Jan 2016 #28

I know many an alcoholic that understands that drinking and driving is a bad deal Drahthaardogs Jan 2016 #35

I don't get a pass if I'm a cancer patient on pain medication... cherokeeprogressive Jan 2016 #77

If you think that's bad easttexaslefty Jan 2016 #4

because alcoholics need to obey the law like everyone else. geek tragedy Jan 2016 #6

To a very certain extent, but the alcoholic looses judgement and faculty after even one drink. Photographer Jan 2016 #7

everyone loses judgment and faculty after one drink. that's why people drink nt geek tragedy Jan 2016 #9

Any evidence for this fact? TeddyR Jan 2016 #53

ITA. raccoon Jan 2016 #38

Or why do we arrest kleptomaniacs for theft jberryhill Jan 2016 #8

AFAIK, those are not diseases by the AMA Photographer Jan 2016 #12

Pedophilia is considered a psychiatric disorder under DSM-5. LisaL Jan 2016 #16

DSM-5 criteria for kleptomania include these features: prayin4rain Jan 2016 #37

Exactly FarPoint Jan 2016 #101

Macular degeneration is a disease that causes blindness. Nye Bevan Jan 2016 #10

very well put. nt restorefreedom Jan 2016 #30

Not all people that drink and drive are Texasgal Jan 2016 #11

It's very simple. If you're not an alcoholic. Ever drove back from a dinner Photographer Jan 2016 #13

Exactly. Texasgal Jan 2016 #19

So very sorry for your loss. But those stricken with a disease that Photographer Jan 2016 #22

You are missing my point here. Texasgal Jan 2016 #26

Are you having a personal problem with this issue? Making excuses for yourself? Because you seem... Hekate Jan 2016 #66

I only wish that I could avail myself of a medical intervention that would fix me as it did your son Photographer Jan 2016 #69

Get a bus pass Hekate Jan 2016 #73

To where? Photographer Jan 2016 #75

to TREATMENT Skittles Jan 2016 #89

People don't get life in prison for DWIs. wickerwoman Jan 2016 #91

thank you Skittles Jan 2016 #87

They would be if it was considered a valid excuse loyalsister Jan 2016 #92

Drink all you want. It's not illegal. LisaL Jan 2016 #14

So by partaking in a legally mind altering drug Photographer Jan 2016 #15

Partake all you want in a legal drug. LisaL Jan 2016 #17

And if one does not mentally relialze that as cognition might dictate? Photographer Jan 2016 #20

Presumably, even if you are an alcoholic, at least at some point of time you aren't drunk. LisaL Jan 2016 #21

If you aren't in a large city try to live without one. Photographer Jan 2016 #23

If you know that you drink and drive, figure out a way to live without a car. LisaL Jan 2016 #41

my brother died of alcoholism, and managed to avoid driving while drunk Skittles Jan 2016 #85

I'm too familiar with that kind of family history... hunter Jan 2016 #86

oh it is rampant in my family Skittles Jan 2016 #88

Depends what state you live in CommonSenseDemocrat Jan 2016 #64

Automobiles are a disease. hunter Jan 2016 #18

It enables a level of freedom that people won't give up voluntarily. NutmegYankee Jan 2016 #55

An automobile is an illusory "freedom," a little cage with a number on it... hunter Jan 2016 #61

It was vehicular homicide. I know from your post on another thread Pathwalker Jan 2016 #24

That is the topic that made me think of this OP but not the topic of which I speak. Photographer Jan 2016 #25

You don't go to jail for being an alcoholic, or a diabetic, unless Pathwalker Jan 2016 #27

So that's what triggered this angst on the part of the OP Hekate Jan 2016 #67

My dad was an alcoholic. He drank at home. TexasMommaWithAHat Jan 2016 #29

I agree completely. smirkymonkey Jan 2016 #48

I assumed you haven't had anyone you love killed or maimed by a drunk driver CBGLuthier Jan 2016 #31

Well it is a disease, but the disease doesn't make people get into a car and drive Kalidurga Jan 2016 #32

A breathalizer car lock would solve one part of the problem. nt SusanCalvin Jan 2016 #33

Until the alcoholic gets someone else to blow into it Ex Lurker Jan 2016 #36

True, but SusanCalvin Jan 2016 #43

If you have a breathalyzer in your car these days, Go Vols Jan 2016 #49

Good deal - happy to hear it. nt SusanCalvin Jan 2016 #50

Erewhon 1872 Samuel Butler Downwinder Jan 2016 #34

Because being an alcoholic isnt against the law. Getting behind the wheel inebriated, is. Warren DeMontague Jan 2016 #39

Fuck that. So if an alcoholic, while under the influence, picked up a gun cali Jan 2016 #40

My husband was sentenced to probation on charges of assault, communicating threats, Pool Hall Ace Jan 2016 #42

Is there a difference between being an alcoholic and getting drunk? n/t hughee99 Jan 2016 #44

good question. Photographer Jan 2016 #56

A person with any medical condition can be arrested for knowingly driving Nevernose Jan 2016 #45

I believe that vehicles should ALWAYS have a device that prevents a person who is under.. BlueJazz Jan 2016 #46

But people who have diseases or impairments that affect their ability to drive safely should not go LeftishBrit Jan 2016 #47

our american prison-industrial system mooseprime Jan 2016 #51

Anyone that is drinking and driving TeddyR Jan 2016 #52

You CHOOSE to drive when drunk. No sympathy. NYC Liberal Jan 2016 #54

Are you an alcoholic? Photographer Jan 2016 #57

What consequences should there be for someone who NYC Liberal Jan 2016 #58

As in what consequences should be there Photographer Jan 2016 #59

The wine drinker got lucky Photographer Jan 2016 #60

As in someone who gets drunk and then drives. NYC Liberal Jan 2016 #62

sorry, no pass here Skittles Jan 2016 #90

This has already been adjudicated by the Warren Court in Powell v. Texas CommonSenseDemocrat Jan 2016 #63

If your diabetic friend had been driving during an episode and gotten pulled over by a cop... Hekate Jan 2016 #65

do you feel the same about pedophiles ? it's a disease so if they sexually abuse someone they JI7 Jan 2016 #68

Should be okay if you're an alcoholic pedophile. PersonNumber503602 Jan 2016 #71

But that in itself is not against the law. frizzled Jan 2016 #82

and drunk drivers aren't being punished for being alcoholics but for driving while drunk JI7 Jan 2016 #83

But driving while drunk doesn't itself cause harm. frizzled Jan 2016 #97

people who plan to meet with underage kids to have sex with are arrested even if they didn't JI7 Jan 2016 #98

But *planning* to drink drive isn't illegal, is it? frizzled Jan 2016 #99

well in the case of the pedophile it isn't just planning but actually showing up JI7 Jan 2016 #100

It should be legal to drive drunk and legal to kill people while doing it. PersonNumber503602 Jan 2016 #70

There are no easy answers here that I can see. Photographer Jan 2016 #72

There's a difference between having the disease and chosing to drink while driving lunatica Jan 2016 #74

Actually, no. Photographer Jan 2016 #76

It sure sounds to me that you want people to tell you that it's o'key to drink and drive if you are LisaL Jan 2016 #78

why do previous decisions become moot ? were you caught drunk driving ? JI7 Jan 2016 #84

Bull. Warren DeMontague Jan 2016 #94

After you reach a high enough BAC, you do lose that judgment CommonSenseDemocrat Jan 2016 #80

If I drove around with excessively low blood sugar Chemisse Jan 2016 #79

It's not really clear why anyone should be punished for anything. frizzled Jan 2016 #81

You can't change the past but you can prevent future incidents. LisaL Jan 2016 #95

That would be preventative detention, not punishment. frizzled Jan 2016 #96

Because its a disease whose treatment requires external enforcement of consequences Recursion Jan 2016 #93