Is drug addiction a disease or a choice?

[JeffRob887]

I'm making a research and I need your opinion about it. Is drug addiction a disease or is it a choice? Would really be grateful if you shared your knowledge about it. Thank you so much! :thumbsup:

[available]

I would say it is a disease in that i didnt choose to become an alcoholic. My brother died an alcoholic and my son is an alcoholic so maybe its in the genes also Jeff or maybe its life circumstances that just make us want to drink and some of us are more susceptible to addiction than others.

Its a hard answer.

[JeffRob887]

I would say it is a disease in that i didnt choose to become an alcoholic. My brother died an alcoholic and my son is an alcoholic so maybe its in the genes also Jeff or maybe its life circumstances that just make us want to drink and some of us are more susceptible to addiction than others.

Its a hard answer.

Thanks for the answer. I really appreciate it.

[Spiritfree]

I'm making a research and I need your opinion about it. Is drug addiction a disease or is it a choice? Would really be grateful if you shared your knowledge about it. Thank you so much! :thumbsup:

Hi Jeff -thanks for asking question for research purposes -or otherwise.

This really is a very difficult question to answer because of all the factors involved therein, but here is my belief (opinion):

(1) No person 'chooses' to become addicted to anything and to suffer the consequences.
(2) No person 'chooses' their own predisposition to becoming addicted relative to their genetics.
(3) Addiction to mind altering chemicals is really just a symptom(s) of other underlying problems (addiction is symptom driven).

The definition of disease is: "MWebster -an illness that affects a person, animal, or plant : a condition that prevents the body or mind from working normally"
So once the chemical enters and alters the brain of a 'normally' functioning human being and that being does not stop -then yes, it is a disease in and of itself.

No one choose to be in the pain that an AUD person or other addict is in.

--sf--

Edit: The brain chooses to be as comfortable and energized as possible -at any given point in time. Is this a choice or a disorder?

[YouKayBee]

Not a conscious choice, although in my recovery I am aware of events that make me want to go off and harm myself via drinking, or other activities - and I now chose not to hurt myself that way.

I'd say it's a coping mechanism which becomes out of control.

[Byrdlady]

Thought provoking question....
Maybe it's both. On any typical night at home, I settle in for the evening, I see my husband enjoy a single glass of wine. We both started that way. But I became addicted and he did not. I believe that certain people are predisposed to the disease (yes, I believe it is a disease). However, I made the CHOICE to break the addiction.
NoSugar said something one time that stuck with me....the discussion was about homeless people or folks living in the streets who were alcoholics. Yes, we suffer from the same disease, but we chose to do something about it. She said it much better than I ever could. It certainly wasn't my choice to become an alcoholic but it was my choice to get sober.
Byrdie

[fennel]

I don't think it's a choice at all. I know people who can have one drink (my mom!) and just stop, because they're "feeling" it. The first time I ever drank alcohol, my brain lit up like a Christmas tree and I only wanted more, more, more. I really don't think that's the way most people react.

I guess the only thing that separates alcoholism from regular diseases is that the afflicted individual can make the choice to stop the intake of alcohol.

[fennel]

I would say it is a disease in that i didnt choose to become an alcoholic. My brother died an alcoholic and my son is an alcoholic so maybe its in the genes also Jeff or maybe its life circumstances that just make us want to drink and some of us are more susceptible to addiction than others.

Its a hard answer.

My mom had an alcoholic father and brothers. My dad was an alcoholic. I really do think there's a genetic component at work.

[JeffRob887]

Thanks guys for the response.

[little beagle]

I believe it's a disease. One we can choose to control. But will be with us for the rest of our lives.

[JeffRob887]

I believe it's a disease. One we can choose to control. But will be with us for the rest of our lives.

Thanks for the reply. So do you think this disease is curable?

[available]

Curable maybe for some but for me i believe i am in remission with disease and if i drank the disease would come back rapidly. I will never drink and play russian roulette with my life so i won't ever find out if i am cured. To me i am cured if i dont drink.