Is Addiction a Disease or the Is the Disease Aspect Just an Excuse?

Question by Big Matt: Is addiction a disease or the is the disease aspect just an excuse?
Let me start by saying that I was heavily addicted to Vicodin for 5 years when finally I made willful decision to give it up. I had no counseling nor did I get physical treatment. I am not trying to discount an addict’s pursuit of “help,” but if addiction is a disease, it is the only disease brought on by a person’s continual choice to use. One can argue that drug use causes certain neurotransmitters activate pleasure centers in the brain thereby causing an almost uncontrollable urge to use. Runners experience the same thing though when they workout, but we don’t call that a disease. People in AA and.other 12 step treatment programs say that the first step in recovery is to admit their powerlessness over the drug. In my opinion, admitting powerlessness toward anything just gives the addict an excuse in case they relapse. Does anybody on YA have thoughts on this?

Best answer:

Answer by BiggalowBalls
an excuse without a doubt

Answer by Killer
I just don’t feel disease is the right term. Disease usually apploes to the body itself rather than something non physical like a habit and are more interms of life threatening rather than just making your life metaphorically waste away. Plus a llot of diseases can’t be cured were as addictions (extremely bad habits ) can with the right incentive. You just need to give someone something they really care about. My sisters boyfriend only gave up smoking because she has bad lungs and he knew it was affecting her breathing. In short it’s just an excuse.