Final answer:
In 1956, the American Medical Association declared alcoholism a disease, marking a shift from viewing it as a moral failing to recognizing it as a medical condition requiring treatment and compassion.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1956, the American Medical Association declared alcoholism a disease. This significant shift in perspective marked an important milestone in the history of medical understanding and public perception regarding alcohol use. Initially, individuals who drank excessively were labeled as bad or lazy, with labels such as 'dr_unks,' and were subjected to moral judgment and punitive actions.
However, as the understanding of alcoholism evolved, it became acknowledged as a condition with underlying medical causes. The recognition of alcoholism as a disease facilitated a more compassionate and supportive approach to treatment, aligning with a broader medicalization trend where behaviors previously seen as deviant were reinterpreted as medical issues.
This understanding was further refined with the advent of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which includes criteria for diagnosing substance use disorders, highlighting the compulsive use of substances despite negative consequences and the presence of physical and psychological dependence.