Research has shown that alcoholism is a choice and not a disease and a choice for an individual to begin drinking. Leading national scientists studying alcohol abuse have established that a human being can go a long way before it is almost impossible for him to abstain from alcohol, which therefore means that a large amount of alcohol should be consumed. Studies show that most people never reach the point of becoming alcoholics, yet they still have the power to stop drinking. An illness is something you have to accept, like cancer, sickle cell anemia, or Alzheimer's. Unlike a disease that in most cases the body cannot control, alcoholism is a mentality. Alcohol does not impair brain function, but instead produces a complex series of adaptations that impair the functions of some brain regions while altering the functions of others. While the opposing side believes that alcohol can cause disease of the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex and dorsal striatum, research has shown that it does not impair brain function, only affecting the brain for a short period, giving it time to bring them back to their normal state. . Researchers led by Andrew Holmes, Ph. D. in the NIAAA's Laboratory for Behavioral and Genomic Neurosciences measured changes in the brains of mice after they were exposed to alcohol vapor, finding permanent changes in the nerve cells that conduct signals, as well as changes in the part of the brain's signaling system that may play a role in sensation, mood and memory. Although the researchers found that the previous changes were permanent, exposing the mice to alcohol actually improved their ability to make decisions and improved their skills on learning tasks. Alcoholism is not a disease, but a behavioral problem. .....it is possible to overcome alcohol addiction. You have to make the decision, be proactive, and commit to an effective treatment program. Works CitedSkog, Ole-Jorgen. "The Addict's Choice." Addiction September 2000: 1309. Premier Academic Research. Network. April 16, 2014.Beck, Melinda. “In search of the genes of alcoholism”. Wall Street Journal. 08 Feb. 2011: D.1. SIRS Problem Researcher. Network. April 14, 2014 Gillis, Charlie. “Addiction: New research suggests it's a choice.” Maclean's (Toronto, Canada) vol. 122, n. 20. 01 June 2009: 19-21. SIRS IssueResearcher. Network. April 14, 2014 "NIH Study Finds Chronic Alcohol Use Changes Brain's Control of Behavior." NIH press release. 22 August 2013: np Government reporter SIRS. Network. April 14, 2014 Roano, Shari. “You can cut back.” Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California). Nov. 16, 2009: E.1. SIRS Problem Researcher. Network. April 14. 2014