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Behavior is defined as intentional or inadvertent actions and an achieved status. Alcoholism applies to the concept of behavior really well. People are not born with alcoholism. Starting to drink, meaning first few interactions with alcohol is a personal choice. However, genetics can increase the risk of developing alcoholism, and when people who unknowingly obtain that alcoholism gene drink, their behavior becomes inadvertent. It is easy to deem alcoholism as an intentional behavior, because everyone does have that initial choice to start drinking. But, for alcoholics they do not have the ability to stop drinking.

Condition is defined as something that may happen through social definition process, nothing has been done to cause it or can be done to prevent it. Can be an ascribed status or achieved. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states "Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences." It is a brain condition, that can be mild or severe, and it perpetuates relapse after lasting changes in the brain from alcohol misuse. There are treatments and programs in place for people with alcoholism to achieve and maintain recovery.

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Alcohol abuse is defined as "Drinking in a manner, situation, amount, or frequency that could cause harm to the person who drinks or to those around them.". This behavior is considered deviant because it defies social norms. It disrupts the expected social order. While moderate drinking may be accepted, excessive consumption can lead to impaired judgment, risky behaviors, aggression, and even neglect of personal and professional responsibilities. These actions often result in harm to oneself and others, challenging social expectations around responsibility, self-control, and societal participation. I feel this topic is important and worth further investigation because alcoholism is a disease and cannot be controlled in the way society believes. While the behavior may still be deviant, to which I agree because it is unsafe and extremely bad for you, it is not intentional deviance and I seek to know why people treat it as such. Understanding the root causes of alcohol abuse and how it is perceived as deviant behavior can help society address it more effectively, reducing its impact on individuals, families, and communities.

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Sickness: The medical aspect as an explanation for deviance came into existence in the first half of the 20th century. While people perceived some deviant behavior to be inherently intentional, others found medical explanations for these behaviors. In the 1950-60's, the assertion of alcoholism as a disease came to a rise. There were many court cases, where people who claimed alcoholism as an explanation for the charges being brought against them, were convicted and served jail time. This led to the further investigation and research of alcoholism's stance as a disease. Alcohol abuse was progressively understood to be a form of illness or "sickness," particularly in the medical and psychological community. The public also progressively understood alcoholism as a disease, where individuals lose control over their drinking due to physical dependency and mental health issues. In this view, alcohol abuse is less about moral failure and more about a medical condition that requires treatment and compassion rather than punishment or judgment.

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Stigma theory: Goffman’s concept of stigma provides a micro-level perspective on deviance. Goffman argued that individuals who engage in deviant behaviors are often subjected to societal stigma, which negatively affects their social identity. (Goffman, Erving. Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. Prentice-Hall, 1963.) Alcohol abuse, often leads to individuals being labeled as "alcoholics" or "drunks." This label becomes a form of discreditable stigma—where the individual’s identity is spoiled because they deviate from societal expectations of responsible drinking and self-control. For those who struggle with alcohol abuse, their personal and social identities are marked by the stigma of being an addict, which can affect how they interact with others. They may feel the need to hide their condition to avoid judgment, or they may face exclusion, discrimination, and even reduced social status. Goffman’s theory emphasizes the symbolic interaction between individuals and society, showing how alcohol abusers are seen as "deviant" not only because of their behavior but because of how society treats and labels them.

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Social Constructionist/Relativist Perspective: From a Social Constructionist/Relativist perspective, deviance is not inherent in any action but is defined by society's reactions and norms. Alcohol abuse becomes "deviant" only because society has constructed rules around acceptable drinking behavior. In this view, what is considered deviant varies across cultures and social contexts. For example, alcohol consumption might be more accepted or even encouraged in some cultural settings, while being harshly condemned in others. The act of drinking excessively is labeled deviant based on the social norms in place within a specific society.

Alcohol abuse, therefore, reflects a relative understanding of deviance, shaped by broader societal values.

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Alcoholism is a tricky point of deviancy to give a simple answer on whether alcoholics recognize their deviance. There are many times where an alcoholic denies their alcoholism and refuses treatment, and then there are many times where an alcoholic recognizes their misuse and seeks help. I feel as though, it is more common for alcoholics to deny their deviance. I wouldn't say they view it as a one-time aberration, because alcoholics do to have one bad run-in with alcohol and quit, they continue to drink, even if they identify as an alcoholic or they not. Whether one seeks help eventually or right away, there is still a period of time where they abuse alcohol, and that fits the "deviant career" idea better. It still happened, and will continue to happen until the steps are taken to relieve the issue.

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Alcohol abuse has a range of both positive and negative impacts on society, though the negative consequences far outweigh the positives. Alcohol abuse leads to significant health issues, including liver disease, cardiovascular problems, addiction, and mental health disorders. These health issues place a substantial burden on healthcare systems, resulting in increased medical costs and the need for long-term care. Alcohol abuse can also strain relationships and lead to family breakdowns. It is associated with domestic violence, child neglect, and social isolation, which harm not only the individual but also their loved ones and community networks. Furthermore, alcohol-related violence and accidents, such as driving under the influence, endanger public safety. The only positive I can think of is the effect binge drinking has on the alcohol industry and the economy. The alcohol industry provides jobs and contributes to the economy through sales, taxes, and associated businesses like bars, restaurants, and breweries. However, the economic gains from the industry are often overshadowed by the social costs associated with alcohol abuse.

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According to scholars like George F. Koob and Michael E. Volkow in their article "Neurobiology of Addiction: A Neurocircuitry Analysis" (2010), alcohol abuse is increasingly understood through a medical model, where addiction is considered a disease that alters brain chemistry. This approach aligns with the sickness model of deviance, suggesting that alcohol abuse should be treated through therapeutic interventions rather than moral condemnation or punishment.

Link and Phelan’s research on "Conceptualizing Stigma" (2001), discusses how individuals with alcohol dependence face significant stigma that can lead to social exclusion and isolation. This ties into Goffman’s Stigma Theory, where individuals are often labeled and marginalized due to their deviant behaviors, impacting their ability to reintegrate into society. The research shows that stigma is not just a social reaction but an ongoing process that affects every aspect of a person’s identity and social interactions.

Other works cited:

Court listened to AMA on defining alcoholism as a disease, not a crime - https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/court-listened-ama-defining-alcoholism-disease-not-crime#:~:text=But%20justices%20in%20their%20opinion,the%20'disease%20concept%20of%20alcoholism.

Alcohol's Effects on Health: Research-based information on drinking and its impact.- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder#:~:text=Alcohol%20use%20disorder%20(AUD)%20is,AUD%20in%20the%20past%20year.&text=Among%20youth%2C%20an%20estimated%20757%2C000,AUD%20during%20this%20time%20frame.

Deviant Drinking as Disease: Alcoholism as a Social Accomplishment:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/800489?seq=1

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