Do you believe addiction is a disease?

[mamacags]

I do not believe addiction is a disease.  I believe a disease is something that you have no control over that your body produces or you catch from another person.  I believe labeling it a disease is a cop out for lack of self control.  What do you think?

[BEG]

I'm not sure. I don't know if there is an addiction gene or if generational addiction is a learned behavior from the parent. Hmmm, I'm not voting because I don't know.

[mamacags]

If there is an addiction gene then you still have control over it.  I have a gene for red hair, that doesn't mean it is a disease.

[seahorse513]

I agree with mamascags, I don't think it's a disease either. It goes along the same lines is clinical depression a disability?? That's another no.....
After I found out that I was a diabetic last year, I went into a very deep depression and was diagnosed as such( I also had other baggage as well, which makes me wonder...)
But, damned if i am going to call it a disability, stay home , and get paid for it.. ...

I want to work and be a productive member of society!! Yes I am taking medication for it, but there is nothing wrong with my arms, legs and brains(Sparky, just zip it, about living in Maine, blah, blah, blah!! ))

There is so much help out there(hotlines. therapy, support groups).People need to get up, dust themselves off, and get on with it!!!!

[longview]

I don't think it's a disease, either.  Maybe a genetic predisposition, like sunburning or being pigeon-toed, but not a disease.

Not to say that addiction and addressing the associated problems are as easily corrected or avoided, I just can't buy the disease model.

[Evil_Conservative]

Not a disease.

[BEG]

I don't think it's a disease, either.  Maybe a genetic predisposition, like sunburning or being pigeon-toed, but not a disease.

Not to say that addiction and addressing the associated problems are as easily corrected or avoided, I just can't buy the disease model.

I do think labeling it a disease gives people an excuse to cop out. 

My step sister is a major alcoholic. She has lost her husband, her kids, her home, her license, her career (nurse), been hospitalized numerous times and almost died once from alcoholism, jailed several times, had a few DUI's, had a wreck while drunk and almost killed a mother and daughter, her boyfriend is diabetic and an alcoholic and is basically in the same place she is only worse health wise because of being a diabetic alcoholic.  Oh, she is a also a compulsive liar.  I predict she will drink herself to death just like her mother (my step dad's ex wife). She is not a functioning alcoholic but her sister is (my other step sister).  My step dad also had an alcohol problem, mainly when I was in middle and high school.

My dad (my real dad) is a functioning alcoholic, my brother died of a methadone overdose, my other brother is addicted to gambling to the point of filing for bankruptcy several years ago because of it and now being $60k in debt again, I also think he is addicted to hydrocodone.  My mom used to smoke but that is the only addiction she has/had. I haven't been addicted to anything. I often wonder why I'm not an addict, I have been surrounded by it my whole life.

My mom's friend is a recovering alcoholic. She goes to AA meetings all the time (my step sister goes infrequently to the same meetings). The majority of my moms friend's friends are in AA so my mom and I know quite a few of them. One time my mom, me, my moms friend and other AA people went to lunch. We were discussing alcoholism. I was talking about how I can't comprehend addiction because I've never been addicted. One of the AA people asked me why I drink at all if I'm not drinking to get drunk and how I can stop at just one glass of wine or beer. She said she can't understand why anyone would have a drink if they didn't want to get drunk. I can't understand the NEED to drink yet she can't understand not needing to drink. 

My mom's friend hasn't had a drink in about 5 years but she has just traded alcoholism for shopping. She blows through money and buys more crap than anyone I have ever known. She is also a semi hoarder as well as has issues with food. What I don't understand is why if she beat her alcoholism (so far) what is feeding her other addictions?   

What feeds the addiction?  Is it a defect in their personality?  Is it a learned behavior? What causes the "defect"?  Are they just weak?

[IassaFTots]

Although I believe that there are genetic factors that enhance one's ability to become addicted, I do not believe addiction is a disease.  I firmly believe that people that use that excuse for their lack of self-control (and mind you, I come from a very addiction-oriented family, and have my own addictions, I could so easily use that as a copout.) are truly delusional.  

[BEG]

Although I believe that there are genetic factors that enhance one's ability to become addicted, I do not believe addiction is a disease.  I firmly believe that people that use that excuse for their lack of self-control (and mind you, I come from a very addiction-oriented family, and have my own addictions, I could so easily use that as a copout.) are truly delusional.  

I'm playing devils advocate here. I have a gene marker called HLAB27.  It predisposes me to auto-immune diseases.  It isn't connected to my Takayasu's Arteritis (the disease that caused my stroke) so much but is a known cause with my UVeitis and Reactive Arthritis (both of which I have).  The HLAB27 gene marker plays a part but something triggers the auto-immune disease (for me it was salmonella that I got while I was in Cancun).

All people who have the HLAB27 gene marker don't always have say UVeitis (chronic) or Reactive Arthritis but the great majority of people who have either disease have the gene marker.  If you have both diseases you are almost certain to have the gene marker.

This is kind of what I was talking about when I said I wasn't sure.  Could some people have some sort of gene marker that causes them to be predisposed to addiction?  Like my example above of my gene marker, not everyone who has the gene marker is an addict but a majority of addicts (not all) have the addiction gene marker (if there is one).  For example, there are other causes for UVeitis, like in injury to the eye, but it's a one time thing. If it is chronic, it is auto-immune in nature.

Anyway, I'm just thinking out loud and I probably am not making sense.       


 

[dandi]

A genetic or societal predisposition, yes.  Medical condition type "disease", no.

[whiffleball]

I voted no. 

I come from an almost teetotaler family.  When I married I was flung into a new family, from the parents down, and their acquaintances who were almost all addicted to something; alcohol mainly, but a few druggies.  I had never seen a mature adult sloppy drunk before and I was shocked. 

I couldn't understand then or now how someone can thoroughly toss out any self respect or pride to stay intoxicated to the point of shitting their pants, puking on the floor, pissing all over themselves on a regular basis.  MY MIL or BIL would call us at 3 am crying about how they had a disease and someone needed to come over to help them change crapped in clothing or a rug.  My husband went; I refused.

What they had was a choice.  They made theirs.  They were poor choices.

 

[Toastedturningtidelegs]

A disease? No not really....I would say a genetic abnormality of the area of the brain which controls "self contol" I do think it turns into a disease after you start using whichever substance you decide to abuse as a change in brain chemistry does take place. I know children of alcoholics who are complete teetotalers because of their fear of triggering this "disease",so both sides are right  to a degree.

[MrsSmith]

If it's a disease, everyone was born with it, every single person.  There are no people out there that can't become addicted to something, whether it's alcohol, sex, working, sugar, perfectionism, endless inspection of your navel, whatever.  Every person has the same problem in a different form.  The way you handle your particular personality/temperment/genetic makeup determines whether your "disease" is a problem or not.

Of course, the best way to control or cure your particular disease is through the intervention of Christ (or your Greater Power, as AA calls Him).  I think most of these "diseases" are an attempt to fill that hole the each person has in their heart...and the only way to actually fill that hole is through Christ.

[longview]

Of course, the best way to control or cure your particular disease is through the intervention of Christ (or your Greater Power, as AA calls Him).  I think most of these "diseases" are an attempt to fill that hole the each person has in their heart...and the only way to actually fill that hole is through Christ.

I'll go with that to a point.  I used to interpret AA, NA, and Al Anon meetings.  I met some addicts/alcoholics who were, or became, Christian.  Yes they stopped drinking and were able to alter the thinking and attitudes that went with it, but still fought urges, dry dreams, and what not.  So yes on one hand coming to Christ (or finding a Higher Power) gave them the ability to not drink, but the desire side of addiction was still there.

My own husband got injured, got sick, was in pain and felt ill much of the time and began seeking relief through booze.  At some point he was unable to stop drinking.  What's the saying?, "First the man takes the drink, then the drink takes the man?"  Hub was a committed Christian to the end.  I can't figure it out.  Fortunately for all, that's not my job.

[BlueStateSaint]

If it's a disease, everyone was born with it, every single person.  There are no people out there that can't become addicted to something, whether it's alcohol, sex, working, sugar, perfectionism, endless inspection of your navel, whatever.  Every person has the same problem in a different form.  The way you handle your particular personality/temperment/genetic makeup determines whether your "disease" is a problem or not.

Of course, the best way to control or cure your particular disease is through the intervention of Christ (or your Greater Power, as AA calls Him).  I think most of these "diseases" are an attempt to fill that hole the each person has in their heart...and the only way to actually fill that hole is through Christ.

Couldn't agree more.  I'm in AA, and I've been clean & sober going on 18 months.  One of the things that AA says that keeps alcoholics sober is helping other alcoholics.  The people that I've seen sober up . . . wow.  Yes, there's a "hole in the heart," that we alcoholics tried to fill with alcohol.  It didn't work, so we have to surrender to God (or the Higher Power--I choose to call my higher power "God") and let Him work through others in our lives.  It can be tough if the alcoholic tries to resist it even for a millisecond.  I know that it is, having been there and gone through it.  My life is a lot more full now, and the best part of it, for me, is that I can enjoy The Heiress' growing up.  (My singing voice is a lot better, but that's gravy.)  God works through me as I live my life, too.  The music director at my church shocked me last night by telling me that she celebrated a year clean and sober, earlier this week.  I think that maybe God acted through me in showing her how it could be done.)

I think it's called a disease because that's the simplest term for it.  I also believe that, if it were a disease, everyone would have it.  I know that there's a fair number of people who can drink alcohol and not have the problems that I had with it.  My wife's one of those, but I think that the fact that her sister has 11 years clean and sober has a lot to do with her reluctance to drink.  It's definitely a "condition," drinking is.  As I look at pics of my daughter, I hope that she sees what Daddy does to stay sober, and she stays on the sober path.  All I can do is to be a good example.  God will use me to get through to some people.  Others, He will use other people.

[BEG]

Couldn't agree more.  I'm in AA, and I've been clean & sober going on 18 months.  One of the things that AA says that keeps alcoholics sober is helping other alcoholics.  The people that I've seen sober up . . . wow.  Yes, there's a "hole in the heart," that we alcoholics tried to fill with alcohol.  It didn't work, so we have to surrender to God (or the Higher Power--I choose to call my higher power "God") and let Him work through others in our lives.  It can be tough if the alcoholic tries to resist it even for a millisecond.  I know that it is, having been there and gone through it.  My life is a lot more full now, and the best part of it, for me, is that I can enjoy The Heiress' growing up.  (My singing voice is a lot better, but that's gravy.)  God works through me as I live my life, too.  The music director at my church shocked me last night by telling me that she celebrated a year clean and sober, earlier this week.  I think that maybe God acted through me in showing her how it could be done.)

I think it's called a disease because that's the simplest term for it.  I also believe that, if it were a disease, everyone would have it.  I know that there's a fair number of people who can drink alcohol and not have the problems that I had with it.  My wife's one of those, but I think that the fact that her sister has 11 years clean and sober has a lot to do with her reluctance to drink.  It's definitely a "condition," drinking is.  As I look at pics of my daughter, I hope that she sees what Daddy does to stay sober, and she stays on the sober path.  All I can do is to be a good example.  God will use me to get through to some people.  Others, He will use other people.

H5 for that

[Eupher]

The Mayo Clinic says alcoholism is a disease - not just any ol' simple disease, but a chronic disease.

If that isn't sufficient justification, well, no skin off my nose:

Alcoholism is a chronic disease in which your body becomes dependent on alcohol. When you have alcoholism, you lose control over your drinking. You may not be able to control when you drink, how much you drink, or how long you drink on each occasion. If you have alcoholism, you continue to drink even though you know it's causing problems with your relationships, health, work or finances.

It's possible to have a problem with alcohol but not have all the symptoms of alcoholism. This is known as "alcohol abuse," which means you drink too much and it causes problems in your life although you aren't completely dependent on alcohol. If you have alcoholism or you abuse alcohol, you may not be able to cut back or quit without help. A number of approaches are available to help you recover from alcoholism, including medications, counseling and self-help groups.

Mayo Clinic

[The Hollywood NeoCon]

I voted, but I'll exercise my God-given right as an American to keep that to myself, as well as my opinion on this matter. My family and I have far too long a history with this issue to be objective about it.

Let's put it this way, I've always taken great pride in the fact that we, as conservatives, don't cast each other out as heretics for having differing viewpoints on things, recognizing that there are far more important issues that we all do agree upon.

This would be one of those.

[thundley4]

The Mayo Clinic says alcoholism is a disease - not just any ol' simple disease, but a chronic disease.

If that isn't sufficient justification, well, no skin off my nose:

Mayo Clinic

After 30 years of drinking, most of it binge drinking, I quit cold turkey about 3 years ago. However, the last two New Year's Eves , my wife and I have split a bottle of Champagne, but that's been it.  

I'm not sure where I would fall in the Mayo Clinics thinking.  We'd go out 2-3 times a week, every week, and I would drink to get drunk, period.   However, I never did it on a night before having to work or otherwise get up in the morning.

[Rebel]

Hell no, and I'm addicted to nicotine and probably even beer.

[mamacags]

I know the Mayo Clinic classifies it as a disease.  I was asking what you believe.  I am not saying people aren't predestined to alcoholism.  I know that I can never touch a cigarette or a bottle of Jim Beam again.  I think classifying it as a disease is a cop out and vitim mentality.  A disease gives you no choice.  You always have a choice to pick up a bottle, pipe, needle.

[Eupher]

I know the Mayo Clinic classifies it as a disease.  I was asking what you believe.  I am not saying people aren't predestined to alcoholism.  I know that I can never touch a cigarette or a bottle of Jim Beam again.  I think classifying it as a disease is a cop out and vitim mentality.  A disease gives you no choice.  You always have a choice to pick up a bottle, pipe, needle.

I believe it's a disease in line with what the medical professionals are saying.

And because alcoholism IS a disease, the person who has it DOES NOT have a choice, if that person expects to have a full, rich, rewarding life.

Plenty of alcoholics do not ever recover. They wind up either dead from cirrhosis, in jail or prison, or even worse, wind up killing someone else due to their decisions.

You could make the argument that picking up a bottle of Jim Beam is making a choice. I maintain that that is not, because no sane person would make that choice knowing what the end result will be.

Without parsing words too much, one has to make rational choices in order to make viable choices. Anything else isn't a choice at all -- it's simply another direction borne out of a disease.

[The Hollywood NeoCon]

I believe it's a disease in line with what the medical professionals are saying.

And because alcoholism IS a disease, the person who has it DOES NOT have a choice, if that person expects to have a full, rich, rewarding life.

Plenty of alcoholics do not ever recover. They wind up either dead from cirrhosis, in jail or prison, or even worse, wind up killing someone else due to their decisions.

You could make the argument that picking up a bottle of Jim Beam is making a choice. I maintain that that is not, because no sane person would make that choice knowing what the end result will be.

Without parsing words too much, one has to make rational choices in order to make viable choices. Anything else isn't a choice at all -- it's simply another direction borne out of a disease.

Thanks, Euph.

I make my living with words, but sometimes, emotion and experience get in the way and I find myself at a loss for them. You did just fine.

[vesta111]

What is addiction when one comes right down to it??

Do we have different scales for addiction --say those that drink are at a 10, and someone addicted to sugar is a 3.
A drug addict is at a 15 .

What is the roots of adiction---something that makes a person feel good, some may be adicted to chocolate, some collecting tea cups.

Addiction can be most anything that we feel the need for, collecting objects to into the need for sex or even the power to controll their home.   Politions are addicted to the Ego and power what ever they can get.

Drugs and drink can and do addict as the person cannot get any other satisfaction in their lives.   

This is not a disease , it is the symptom of the need to to get the person on another track, Addiction and compulsion are not that far apart. 

[MrsSmith]

I believe it's a disease in line with what the medical professionals are saying.

And because alcoholism IS a disease, the person who has it DOES NOT have a choice, if that person expects to have a full, rich, rewarding life.

Plenty of alcoholics do not ever recover. They wind up either dead from cirrhosis, in jail or prison, or even worse, wind up killing someone else due to their decisions.

You could make the argument that picking up a bottle of Jim Beam is making a choice. I maintain that that is not, because no sane person would make that choice knowing what the end result will be.

Without parsing words too much, one has to make rational choices in order to make viable choices. Anything else isn't a choice at all -- it's simply another direction borne out of a disease.

What sane person would make the choice to inhale tar and nicotine knowing that they will end up attached to an oxygen bottle and slowly suffocating to death?

What sane person would continue to consume large quantities of sugary foods knowing that they will end up with diabetes, destroyed kidneys, attached to a dialysis machine, and have various limbs removed?

What sane person would have sex with multiple partners knowing that they will eventually end up with a disease that will destroy their immune system and leave them to suffer with multiple infections until they die?

Where do we draw the line between making a choice and being totally unable to control your own actions?