Is alcoholism/drug addiction a disease?

Bricka Brack
#1. June 12th, 2009, at 12:31 PM.

To answer your original question, yes, it is

aguadelfuego4
#2. June 13th, 2009, at 12:32 AM.

No. I believe that you can be predisposed to such things through genetics or upbringing, but I can’t see how an addiction can be considered a disease. In my opinion, emotional addictions are just lack of self-control or of the desire to change, and physical dependency is a chemical process/reaction in the body, but neither are, as many claim, a legitimate “illness” (except a social illness perhaps)

Edit: I did not mean to suggest that we should not try to help them get over their addictions, but merely that it is not a disease. A disease is something you could not possibly have any control over. It is a choice to drink or do drugs so much that you become dependent on them to go on.

franklv_1981
#3. June 14th, 2009, at 12:07 AM.

I believe it is a disease, yes.
I believe we are punishing alcoholics/drug addicts instead of helping them. It is a medical issue and shouldnt be a criminal one.
There has to be MORE funding for treatment, regardless of where the money comes from.
We lost the war on drugs – HORRIBLY.

Valerie’s slave.
#4. June 16th, 2009, at 6:26 AM.

The war against drugs is a war against personal freedom. Yes having alcohol and cigs legalized does send mixed messages. “isnt the idea of making plants illegal seem a little paranoid 2 you?” Why is it that two physically addicting drugs are legal? One of which destroys peoples inhibitions? WTF? Fucking stupid. We need more money in the education of drugs. The D.A.R.E program is dumb. You tell a teenageer not 2 do something and what happens? Educate the young about the use drugs and tell them its not unnatural to want an altered conscious. Teach them that drugs shouldn’t be used 2 escape. IMO thanks peace.

cowboydoc
#5. June 18th, 2009, at 12:02 PM.

Your original question:”Yes” it is a disease but, some states don’t recognize it as such. Their health or I should say it let’s their health departments or companies off the hooks also.
I personally went through this a while ago in one Southwestern state with my spouse. Since the state didn’t recognize this as a disease the insurers for the hotel she worker for didn’t either. I had to take her to a “home” state where they still recognized it as a disease. She was given all the care needed.

I think it’s a matter of money and the cost of insurances.

Jenny
#6. June 21st, 2009, at 4:41 PM.

It is a disease right up there with cancer, and any other disease.

Sally
#7. June 23rd, 2009, at 3:10 PM.

I believe one criteria of a disease is that it progresses and if not treated, can lead to death, which is definitely the case with drug and alcohol addiction.

Continued and irresponsible use of alcohol or drugs cause a chemical imbalance within the brain and we drink or drug to try to restore the balance … thus, alcoholism or drug addiction.

Although I’m a recovering alcoholic (sober over 22 years), I’m certainly no authority. I just know that I didn’t start out to be an alcoholic and even though there are times I’d love to escape reality, I much prefer sobriety.

dora
#8. June 26th, 2009, at 4:12 AM.

I have always thought there is a link between alcoholism/drug addiction, and how a person’s body processes those things, especially those alcoholics who become diabetic. Having overcome an addiction to smoking, I give credit to anyone who maintains sobriety. We arent’ winning the drug war and prevention would be a terrific place to spend the taxes collected on alcohol.

CC
#9. June 29th, 2009, at 2:28 AM.

I hope it is. Speaking as a child of parents with addictive personalities,
both alcoholics, addicted to gambling and sex, I want to think they
couldn’t help it and that somehow their genes were responsible. I find
it too hurtfull to think they had a choice in the matter.
Needless to say I did not inherit those genes. I do not drink, smoke
or gamble and the wellbeing of my family has been the most important
factor in my adult life.
Drugs and alchol wreak havoc in everyday lives, we need to find out why people become addicted to these substances and help in any
way we can.

Just Joyce
#10. July 2nd, 2009, at 7:20 AM.

Good Question . . . There are many other addictions I could add to the list. . but we’ll leave it at the two. As almost everyone has stated, YES they are addictions and no both are not treated equal . . .we can buy beer, wine, alcohol (legal) but not drugs of any kind (illegal). The tax money from alcohol just gets absorbed into the system. Any one seeking treatment must pay on their own, as far as I know.The war on drugs is a joke. . .throw them in prison and they can still buy and sell from their cells.I have always said drugs should be legalized and sold in liqueur stores. Put the pushers out of business . . .get the guns off the streets. . .They could put information in with the drugs, just like I get with my prescriptions. . .instead of burning confiscated weed, sell it and put the profits into rehabilitating the ones who truly want to quit. . . DARE Program in the schools is a joke . . . they just state don’t take drugs . . .As dumb as I am about this topic, I know I have taught my children and grandchildren more than they have.. . .Education is the key! ! People have to be taught and shown how to
make wise choices. . . the income from the sale of drugs should definitely go toward decent rehab facilities, free of charge to all who want it. . .that to me is the only way in decreasing usage. I’ve said it for years, and I will keep saying it until the Government wakes up! ! ! !

bobs
#11. July 3rd, 2009, at 12:45 PM.

Both are mental illnesses and really have little to do with alcohol and drugs, except the person is self-medicating. After the initial withdrawal, the person needs to find out what the underlying problem is.

deblee60
#12. July 5th, 2009, at 6:08 PM.

I have been clean of drugs for 15yrs,i have been sober only 6Mt’s not my chose(liver shut down).I use ta think it was a disease but you chose to drink or take that first drink,then you just spiral out of control.Sure it was easy-er for me to blame it on something or someone else,but now i realize it was me that took that drink or drug that started it all.

glass
#13. July 6th, 2009, at 8:34 PM.

in my opinion both are not a disease. that, to me, is asking if someone eats only twinkies and weighs almost a ton is that a disease? you have a choice, to over indulge or not. most choose not to. but it becomes everyones problem when it is catagorized as a disease. we would have to start covering rehabilitation in state healthcare.

Daisymae
#14. July 7th, 2009, at 11:50 PM.

I believe it is an addiction. The disease part happens because alcohol kills the cells, parts of the body craves it, so I just believe it is an addiction. The cells would be healthy and fine if you did not drink the alcohol. My opinion.

known a few alcoholics with emotional problems who took to drink to cover low self-esteem

Miz D
#15. July 8th, 2009, at 3:29 AM.

Your questions were interesting but they did not cause me to reevaluate my position. My father was an alcoholic, my brothers are alcoholics, my nephew is an alcoholic and I’m sure there were many of my ancestors who participated in the family tradition. I have a nephew who has served time in prison because of drugs use. I have a niece who is addicted to legal pain medicine she gets from several different doctors. I am not a medical professional but I am dang sure an expert on alcoholism and related to druggies. People choose to drink or not to drink alcohol. People choose to use drugs or not use them. Neither one is a disease. People use these crutches because they can’t face the harsh realities of life. They don’t get any sympathy from me.

Prohibition was tried in the USA and it didn’t work. Illegal drug users are pursued by the law but they don’t quit unless they are in jail. Nothing stops it. The counseling sessions, AA and NA only help those who are ready to quit. Wish I had the answer. I am a faithful contributor to MADD (mothers against drunk driving) and raised my own children to be sober law-abiding adults. If I come up with some better “answers” I will get back to you.

EDIT: I must be related to Carrie Nation on my mother’s side of the family? LOL I am not totally heartless. My husband and I took my brother into our home when he hit rock bottom from his alcoholism. He came to us half crazy and stinking of stale sweat, booze and cigarettes. He stayed more than a year and changed enough to survive and have a productive life. He calls it his stay in “The Family Rehab Unit” and gives us credit for showing him there is another way to live. We love him dearly and he knows it.

old fart
#16. July 10th, 2009, at 6:21 PM.

No I think they are choices weak minded people make. They them want to blame it on others.

Ginger H
#17. July 13th, 2009, at 8:42 PM.

It’s a choice.

Patricia M
#18. July 16th, 2009, at 5:58 PM.

They say it’s a disease.

Kaktis
#19. July 19th, 2009, at 11:03 AM.

Yes it is considered a disease. And it is treatable, if the patient wants to be cured.

Allymac
#20. July 21st, 2009, at 10:25 PM.

The propensity for the condition is inherited, at least in alcoholism. That makes it if not a disease a threat to health. I have seen it first hand in my family. My dad was a recovering alcoholic. He got mean when he drank. One brother has this reaction as well as does his son. For the rest of us it is not a problem. Without treatment and or intervention this condition causes a great deal of pain and suffering for all involved.

PS How could anyone Tdown Sally? You rock lady!

Loren S
#21. July 23rd, 2009, at 2:02 PM.

the only difference between drunks and alcoholics is drunks don’t have to attend meetings.

Oldschoolgoblue
#22. July 26th, 2009, at 1:14 AM.

I believe this issue becomes more complicated than it has to be because people define whether an addiction is positive, negative or simply acceptable based on what the drug of choice happens to be. Addiction is addiction, and differentiating is a flawed way to look at it. I bet a lot of people know a family where a parent is addicted to alcohol or drugs and the child completely avoids them, only to become a workaholic. Either one can destroy a family. The mental and emotional predisposition to addiction ( you’ve heard the term addictive personality) is an honest disorder. As someone who is a recovering addict, even I have a hard time actually putting my finger on exactly what that disorder is. In that way, its a lot like autism- doctors have no idea what autism actually is, they just know what it does to the perception process of an individual who has it. But, so many addicts share so many character and personality traits that I don’t think it’s a coincidence. Essentially there is an overriding fear and the need to escape- or to insulated youself from the world. Whether that need leads you to the comfort of your office 85 hrs per week, or to a serious drug habit, or anything in between, its not a healthy mindset.

Having said all of this, the toughest part of defining this as a disease, is that its a disease of choice. The only truly medical disease part of the condition comes after a long series of choices that lead you to your drug again and again and again. I am an addict (recovering) and I have worked very hard to remain in the better place I’m at now. For me, there is no doubt that all of the damage that I did to myself and my family, all the years I lost and the friends I lost came from decisions that I made. The problem with looking at this as a problem to be solved on the National level is that it can’t be done. It can only truly be avoided or beaten on a personal level.

James-Dodge Boy
#23. July 29th, 2009, at 4:21 AM.

It is a choice. Choose to do it long enough it is possible it may turn into a disease.