Alcoholism, Obesity & The Disease Debate
“Weighing the Pros and Cons of the Disease Model”
There has long been confusion about labelling chronic conditions like alcoholism and obesity as diseases. While the term "disease" can help raise awareness of the serious health risks these conditions pose, it also introduces significant drawbacks, influencing how people understand and address their behaviours. Medicalising these issues does offer certain benefits, but it is crucial to acknowledge the complexities and limitations of viewing them solely as diseases. In this article, I aim to emphasise the importance of a more nuanced perspective that goes beyond the disease label.
The Benefits of the Disease Label
Labelling conditions such as alcoholism and obesity as diseases can have positive effects. For one, it highlights the severe health risks they pose, urging individuals and healthcare providers to take these conditions seriously. Alcoholism, for instance, leads to liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and neurological impairments. Similarly, obesity raises the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, alzheimers and certain cancers. Referring to these conditions as diseases emphasizes their urgency and frames them as public health concerns.
Moreover, the disease label can unlock crucial resources and support from health and care providers. When alcoholism or obesity is treated as a disease, individuals may find it easier to access medical and therapeutic interventions. Insurance companies are more likely to cover treatments and healthcare providers may allocate more resources to addressing these conditions. This medical framing can also reduce the stigma associated with personal failure, helping people seek assistance without feeling blamed for their circumstances.
The Drawbacks of Viewing Alcoholism and Obesity as Diseases
Despite these benefits, labelling alcoholism and obesity as diseases also comes with significant limitations. One of the major concerns is that it shifts attention away from the psychological, social, and environmental factors that shape people’s behaviours. Alcoholism and obesity are not solely biological conditions—they are deeply intertwined with emotional coping mechanisms, psychological health and societal influences.
For instance, viewing obesity as a disease risks ignoring the emotional and behavioural aspects that often contribute to overeating, such as stress, trauma, and emotional eating. When individuals regard their condition as purely medical, they may be less inclined to explore psychological interventions like therapy, which could help them uncover the deeper issues driving their behaviours. This narrow focus on biological factors may lead people to rely more on medical treatments—such as surgery or medications—without addressing the underlying psychological and behavioural patterns that perpetuate their condition.
Furthermore, labelling alcoholism and obesity as diseases can create a sense of inevitability or helplessness. When individuals view their condition as a fixed and uncontrollable disease, they may feel disempowered, which can diminish motivation to engage in self-directed changes such as therapy, lifestyle modifications or healthier habits. This approach can reinforce feelings of hopelessness, as individuals may feel "broken" or defined by their diagnosis.
The Role of the Food Industry on Obesity
An often-overlooked element of the obesity discussion is the role of the food industry in shaping unhealthy behaviors. Highly processed, calorie-dense foods, loaded with sugar, bad fats and salt, are heavily marketed and easily accessible. The food industry’s influence extends far beyond individual choices—it manipulates the types of foods available, their affordability, and how appealing they are, making it difficult for many to make healthier decisions.
This constant exposure to unhealthy food options and the aggressive marketing of these products play a significant role in the rise of obesity. The food industry encourages poor dietary habits, which ultimately contribute to the development of obesity. This external influence complicates the narrative around obesity as a disease because it’s not solely a personal health issue, but one that is driven by broader, systemic factors. By labelling obesity strictly as a disease, we risk overlooking the societal pressures and food environments that push individuals toward unhealthy eating behaviours.
Addressing obesity requires more than medical intervention; it calls for a critical examination of the food industry and the systemic factors that contribute to poor metabolic health. Psychological support, such as therapy, can empower individuals to break free from ingrained habits and understand their emotional relationship with food. However, a larger societal shift is necessary to reduce the impact of unhealthy food marketing and create a healthier environment on a wider scale.
A Need for Societal Change
We urgently need to work toward changing societal attitudes surrounding these conditions. They are not merely matters of willpower or biology; they are influenced by a complex combination of psychological, social and environmental factors—including the food industry’s influence on dietary choices. By broadening our understanding, we can foster more compassionate and effective approaches that support individuals in managing and overcoming these challenges.
Psychotherapists, psychologists and other mental health professionals are uniquely equipped to help drive this shift. Through therapy, individuals can explore the underlying emotional, psychological, and social factors contributing to their behaviours. Mental health professionals can help people understand their relationship with food, alcohol, and their bodies, providing tools to promote lasting behavioural change.
Moreover, psychotherapists can advocate for a more holistic approach to chronic conditions—one that emphasises the importance of mental and emotional wellbeing, social support and self-awareness alongside medical treatment.
Conclusion
Labelling alcoholism and obesity as diseases has both advantages and drawbacks. While the term can raise awareness and provide access to crucial healthcare resources, it also risks oversimplifying these complex conditions by focusing too much on their biological aspects. The challenge lies not in the label itself, but in the societal attitudes surrounding these conditions. By embracing a more comprehensive and multi-layered approach that includes psychological, social, and environmental factors—such as the role of the food industry—we can better support individuals in overcoming alcoholism, obesity and related challenges. Mental health professionals are well-positioned to lead this change, helping individuals gain self-awareness, change behaviours and live healthier, more fulfilling lives.