The fact of the matter (feel free to do the medical research) is that alcoholism is one of the few disease processes that has clear genetic link. This is been shown time and time again in studies. On top of this, there has been studies that show people with the alcoholic gene, react differently to alcohol than others. This doesn't not, however, mean that everyone who is a "problem drinker" has the gene. This may be why you see some people simply walk away from alcohol. There is also a different diagnosis from alcoholism and alcohol abuse.

With all of this said, if someone is suffering alcoholism, they need to seek help. Recovery is possible, and yes, it is hard work, but it can be done. I think of AA, honestly, as more of support group than actual treatment. Yes, it is free, and there are a lot of them out there, but I don't think there really are a lot of good outcomes, particularly for more severe cases to send someone to AA alone. IOP can be good options for some, but if a person's drinking has started to effect their health or started cause legal problems, it may be time to look at inpatient treatment. At the end of the day, yes it is a disease, but the alcoholic, with adequate help, is the only one can turn things around. They should be encouraged to do so, but their fate is, ultimately, in their hands.