Stanton Peele

In the following viewpoint, Stanton Peele challenges common assumptions about alcoholism. He maintains that alcoholics have control over their drinking and usually stop drinking of their own volition. Furthermore, the majority of alcohol abusers are college-age men who outgrow their drinking problems as they mature. Peele, who writes frequently about the subject of addiction, is the author of Diseasing of America, from which the following viewpoint is excerpted.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What evidence does Peele provide to support his assertion that alcoholics can control their drinking?
2. As defined by the author, what is alcoholic progression?
3. As cited by Peele, what research studies support the view that most alcoholics outgrow their drinking problems"

The core idea of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) version of the disease of alcoholism is that alcoholics cannot cease...