Is alcoholism a disease?

Is alcoholism a disease?

Gail Priddy (Deputy Director) gives expert video advice on: What is alcoholism?; What is the difference between being an alcoholic and just drinking a lot?; Is alcoholism a disease? and more...

The World Health Organization would say that it definitely is. It's not catchable like other diseases but it develops due to circumstances. In the context of a developing problem it is perhaps not so useful, but there are situations where the term can be a helpful one to use.