Is Drug Addiction A Choice Or Disease?

The disease model of addiction rests on three primary assumptions predisposition to use a drug, loss of control over use, and progression (Krivanek, 1988, p.202). These physiological alterations cause an undeniable desire to take more drugs (McNeece & DiNitto, 2012). Addicts are viewed as individuals with an incurable disease with drug addiction as the symptom. The disease model argues users cannot be held accountable for their addictions (Kirvanek, 1988).

Is being addicted to drugs just an effect from doing them or is it simply a choice that is made? Drugs have been and still are a part of our world and have been popularized since the 1960s. A drug is a substance which has a psychological effect when ingested into the body. The use of drug addiction can vary depending on the person. For example, it could be out of curiosity, peer pressure, to change their performance around others, reducing stress or depression. In chapter 7 “Rat Park” of Slater’s book Opening Skinner’s Box gives us a brief discussion about figuring how to get people who are hooked on drugs a way out, through the process of using rats in two different experiments. Furthermore, in the article The Likely Cause of Addiction Has Been

As mentioned, a behavior is immoral if it is degrading and fails to be proficient in a virtue; thus, addiction is immoral because it overwhelms self-control as the drug controls the user in terms of habit and lifestyle (Richards 2). This is regarding addiction as a health concern and uncontrollable thirst; however, according to James Fieser’s "DRUGS," addiction in regard to morality is “ultimately a matter of personal choice,” where “with the right will power,” one can choose to stop the addictive behavior despite the difficulty, and “failure to do so is a moral weakness where users know that their actions are wrong but choose to do them anyway” (1). In this alternative definition of addiction, the behavior remains immoral as the user “chooses” to continue, knowing it is wrong. Regardless of either definition, immorality is evident.

Over the years, there have been many discussions on whether addiction is a disease or if it is a choice. Addiction has been considered a disease for many years because it shows the same signs as a disease would. Many believe that addiction is a choice and not a disease. Two articles discuss the topic of whether addiction is a disease or a choice and the article that is saying it is a disease is "Addiction Is a Disease and Needs to Be Treated as Such" by David Sack and the other article is stating that it is a choice and this article is titled "Addiction is not a disease- and were treating addicts incorrectly" by Kyle Smith. Article one, "Addiction Is a Disease and Needs to Be Treated as Such" by David Sack is better than article two "Addiction

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines alcoholism as a chronic condition which is mainly characterized by excessive and compulsive consumption of and dependence on alcohol as well as nutritional and mental disorders. This definition depicts alcoholism as a disease that is beyond one’s control. It has however been argued in some circles that alcoholism is a choice and the idea of alcoholism as a disease is a myth. Since it is an individual choice to take alcohol, alcoholism is a consequence of free will. Both sides of the debate are discussed in this paper and it is my conclusion that there is strong evidence that suggests that alcoholism is a disease that needs treatment.

Addiction: is it a disease or a choice? A disease can be described as “a disorder of structure or function that produces specific signs or symptoms, or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of a physical injury.” Knowing this, one can believe addiction is a disease. It is something that is done frequently, that usually does not end, just as a disease; it cannot cease on its own, because it requires some form of treatment. The big question regarding addiction is why people believe it to be a choice opposed to a disease.

My position regarding the importance of biology and genetics on substance abuse and addiction are similar to recent readings, but I feel that free will is a factor in addiction. My father, grandfather, and grandmother were all alcoholics, and I can determine that the

Addiction is a Brain Associated Disorder that Allows the Body to Become Dependent on a Substance

The disease model of addiction and the moral model of addiction provide completely different explanation for the tendency of substance abuse. The disease model of addiction predates to 1784 when the American physician Benjamin Rush published a pamphlet which discussed alcoholism in medical terms and outlined treatments for what he considered was a “disease” (Atkins, 2014, p. 52). This model of addiction generally argues that it is not the individuals fault for their addiction to drugs and that not all, but some people, will inevitably become addicts in the future (p. 52). Inversely, the moral model of addiction does not view addiction as something that an individual “cannot control,” rather this model looks at addiction as something that an individual can certainly control but that the individual does not chose to because of “weak moral character” (p.52). Although both of these models have been, and still are, widely applied to other substances, the most common substance that it was used was for alcohol.

The three models of addiction examined in this week’s readings include the medical model, the psychosocial model, and the disease of the human spirit model. The medical model “rests on the assumption that disease states are the result of a biological dysfunction, possibly one on the cellular or even molecular level” (Doweiko, 2012, p. 333). Many consider this model and “maintain that much of human behavior is based on the interaction between the individual’s biological predisposition and the environment” (Doweiko, 2012, p. 333). Individuals under this model view free will “as an illusion” (Doweiko, 2012, p. 333). There is controversy regarding this model as “to the degree to which the

Offenders that are frequently arrested for drugs and/ or alcohol should be obligated to participate in a treatment program. Individuals that have a dependency on drugs and or alcohol show a need for treatment programs. On the webpage, Enterhealth: Why Alcohol and Drug Addiction is Considered a Disease, the writers (2008 – 2010) said, addiction is considered a brain disease because alcohol and drugs literally change the brain chemically, structurally and functionally. Scientist have performed researches on rebuilding the brain after it has been abused by drugs and or alcohol. Since treatment programs are not a one size fits all, there is a need for different types of treatment program. Inside of these treatment programs the offender will learn the skills and gain tools they need to apply to everyday life.

From the website, Patient Info, recently presented a discussion in whether alcoholism is a disease or a lifestyle choice. One blogger expressed her opinion about how alcoholism is genetic and that parents, about how it is genetic that anxiety and depression is inherited from parents leading, to becoming an addict. But the blogger by the name of andrew69055 stated, “People would do well to work more on resolving anxiety and depression rather than using alcohol disease as an excuse…People need hope and motivation and the handed out excuse that it’s a disease is destructive….It removes all sense of guilt and responsibility. Cancer is a disease which the patient, apart from a positive attitude relies completely on the medical profession for their recovery. To put alcoholism and addiction in the same context is an insult to the cancer patient.” Like this blogger stated alcoholism should not be categorized in the same defense as cancer. Alcoholism is a life choice that people make in life. People are at free will to choose how they live and every move that they make.

There is still debate whether alcoholism is a choice or disease. Many doctors and healthcare professionals believe that addiction to alcohol is a disease (Nenn). The idea that alcoholism is a disease is not a new concept where even Dr. Benjamin Rush in 1784 believed that “this condition is a disease – one that should be treated by physicians” (Nenn). Hence, when a person is dependent on drugs or alcohol that person cannot stop using it. There are also some people and doctors that believe alcoholism is a disease, but it is also a choice because humans can choose to stop doing it with some help (Nenn). One of the most common ways to help people with alcoholism is rehab places. One of the most effective meetings is 12 step programs which “Most

Drug and alcohol addiction is a very serious and widespread problem in America, and across the globe. Drug addiction is a constant craving, seeking, and using of a substance, despite the negative consequences it may have on the addict or those around them. When drug use becomes more frequent, it is considered drug abuse. Once an individual’s drug abuse is can no longer be controlled, and they are using the drug to get through everyday life, it beomes an addiction. A person on drugs has an altered way of thinking, behaving, and perceiving. There are treatment facilities all over the world dedicated to help those suffering with drug addictions. All

Addiction is a choice and by classifying addiction as a disease, we are just enabling drug addicts to take no responsibility for their own actions in their lives. By labeling addiction as a medical condition it creates a false assumption that addicts have no control over their own behavior. People become addicts because of their behavior, not their brain chemistry. The disease concept is so popular because it gives people an easy way out; if they inherited their addiction they can’t be responsible for their own behavior. The disease model of addiction is flawed for a number of reasons; first, most people who take drugs do not become addicted, but may take drugs for a period of time, then stop when they choose to do so. Many well respected professors and scientist claim addiction is a scapegoat behavior that has been incorrectly identified as a physical or mental illness, an addict is only a victim of bad science and misguided policy.