I don't really know if I could say alcoholism is a disease for all. It's kind of like the topic of whether depression is genetic or not.
Regardless, poor guy. I swear if I was rich I'd try to help every homeless person I could. I've never had a bad run in with a homeless person. They are such kind people. Sure, some of them did end up their because of their own choices..doesn't mean they deserve it though. We all make mistakes in life, seriously.
Alcoholism or a dependence on alcohol isn't formed overnight though. Typically it begins purely because of of the chemical reaction that goes on in the brain. A person seeks to recreate that feeling so they go back for more. Eventually, in really bad cases, it goes on to that person feeling as though they need the alcohol to get through to the day. That's when you have a disease, a mental one.
Same can be said for just about anything. Alcohol, drugs, video games, hell even IM.
I agree. And on the opposite end, if I were rich, I'd try to make sure these kinds of people got what they deserved.
http://www.missionmission.org/2012/02/08/dude-with-bike-verbally-abuses-known-mission-homeless-man-for-no-good-reason/
And I don't think we are disputing that in this thread. But to suggest very plainly that people , consciously and with a healthy mind, choose a lifestyle of being homeless in order to be able to abuse drugs and alcohol, over living in a nice house with food in their stomachs, is ridiculous. I would think that decision in itself would qualify the person as having some mental disorder or disease.
Again, by the time a person is out on the streets, alcohol has already taken its toll on their ability to think logically.consciously and with a healthy mind
Oh yeah man, seen that in the news. Tons of stuff like that happens. I remember a couple years back, some homeless guy was burned alive. I mean, I couldn't do that to ANYONE. But especially to a poor, defenseless homeless person..makes me sick
being an alcoholic means that you take precedence over having "600 staff to maintain your home"
By the time a person is on the streets, their problem with alcohol has been practically cemented. A person doesn't pick up a bottle of beer one night and then wake up in the streets with nothing to their name.
Again, by the time a person is out on the streets, alcohol has already taken its toll on their ability to think logically.
Your posts almost imply that a person consciously decides that they'll just up and leave everything and the live on a street while drinking booze all day. That's not the case. It happens in stages gradually as explained in one of my previous sources.
I think this is what Kickflip's trying to point out about what you're saying, Deleted member 84902. That makes it sound like you're saying that someone simply chooses to be alcoholic rather than living very well.
But by the time a person is an alcoholic, alcohol does take precedence over having staff maintain a home, over having money (except to buy more booze) or even having a home at all.
I think you are missing the point of this entire discussion. Nigel Farage said that people have that preference, which is suggesting that when given the choice between being able to abuse drugs and alcohol, and living in a nice house, they would choose drugs and alcohol. He specifically used the word prefer. I am not suggesting it at all, I am using Nigel Farage words, which you defended, suggesting he just "worded it a tad poorly".
How can addiction be a preference? Isn't it by definition NOT a preference, but a dependance?
Believe me, Nigel Farage knew what he was saying when he said it. I do not think its a conscious decision at all, you are taking Nigels words and putting them in my mouth.
Well yes, but that's not the person's choice. As kickflip said, an addiction is not a preference, it's a dependence. The person would not choose alcoholism over a healthy life when in a healthy state of mind.
For example, if you ask a person addicted to nicotine what they would prefer, a nice house and life or a crappy life but cigarettes every day, it depends on their state of mind. If they haven't had a cigarette in a couple of days, they're going to say the cigarettes because it's not their choice - it's their addiction. If you ask them while they're smoking regularly, however, they'll readily admit to you that they would prefer a healthy, good life.
I'm not sure if I'm understanding what you mean correctly, but you defended Nigel saying it's merely a choice, when it's most definitely not.
For some reason everyone seems to be thinking that I'm talking about someone who drinks once a week with mates at the pub when I'm talking
about an alcoholic. When I quoted Nigel I was referring to a full blown alcoholic.
Nicotine does not alter ones state of mind in the same way that alcohol does, as well. I just asked my Mum who has been smoking since she was 13 what she would prefer if she had been without smokes for weeks, a cigarette or a house full of staff to look after it. Her reaction was instant, the house.
Well yes, but that's not the person's choice. As kickflip said, an addiction is not a preference, it's a dependence. The person would not choose alcoholism over a healthy life when in a healthy state of mind.
For example, if you ask a person addicted to nicotine what they would prefer, a nice house and life or a crappy life but cigarettes every day, it depends on their state of mind. If they haven't had a cigarette in a couple of days, they're going to say the cigarettes because it's not their choice - it's their addiction. If you ask them while they're smoking regularly, however, they'll readily admit to you that they would prefer a healthy, good life.
I'm not sure if I'm understanding what you mean correctly, but you defended Nigel saying it's merely a choice, when it's most definitely not.