After doing some research on how and why alcoholism is considered a disease I discovered this insightful article on the history of alcoholism. Apparently alcoholism is considered a disease for sociological reasons rather than results of scientific studies.
Is Alcoholism a Disease?
Alcohol addiction treatment centers are big business. Treatment is very expensive and usually not successful long term. Furthermore, most addicts need to "bottom out" before any treatment can be effective. They have to want to go to treatment and remain clean and sober thereafter.
AA is probably the most successful answer long term but it does not work for many.