Addiction: choice or disease?

There is an interesting discussion going on on facebook, i think that addiction stems from an underlying cause , like disbehaviour and that its not just a matter of choosing the easy option out of not feeling anything , what do you think ?

In my opinion, it's both a personal choice AND a disorder requiring medical intervention. Addiction is so complex that I don't think you can categorize it as one of the other. Plus, more often than not, it's co-morbid with other conditions - often mood/trauma/compulsive disorders.

It starts with a choice, but it becomes a disease. For example, I cannot develop alcoholism or get addicted to cigarettes if I choose to never drink alcohol or smoke a cigarette. But once I do those things stopping is not as simple as saying "no more for me thanks." I will have developed an actual chemical dependence. You can choose to quit, but it's rarely that easy once the choice is made. It's like choosing to cure yourself of a disease, you can choose to fight it through various means but you can't simply will yourself to not actually be sick right then and there.

Leah Starspectre wrote: In my opinion, it's both a personal choice AND a disorder requiring medical intervention. Addiction is so complex that I don't think you can categorize it as one of the other. Plus, more often than not, it's co-morbid with other conditions - often mood/trauma/compulsive disorders.

Its indeed complex , but to get it clear i pointed out just 2 possibilities so we can explore all within , and even outside these parameters , i think however that a completely "sane" person still can get addicted and go from not diseased to diseased , i see perfectly sane people smoking , i would not call them ill , could you explain why you think they need medical help ? Be aware that i dont disagree , i just want to know what your drive behind this is

Goken wrote: It starts with a choice, but it becomes a disease. For example, I cannot develop alcoholism or get addicted to cigarettes if I choose to never drink alcohol or smoke a cigarette. But once I do those things stopping is not as simple as saying "no more for me thanks." I will have developed an actual chemical dependence. You can choose to quit, but it's rarely that easy once the choice is made. It's like choosing to cure yourself of a disease, you can choose to fight it through various means but you can't simply will yourself to not actually be sick right then and there.

I have been brought up in a household where my parents and older brothers smoked , i was addicted to nicotine through them , where is my choice ? Again i am not critisising just trying to pull the elastic Off course in the end i stopped smoking and that is the best choice ever , but i am still addicted if you know what i mean

MartaLina wrote: There is an interesting discussion going on on facebook, i think that addiction stems from an underlying cause , like disbehaviour and that its not just a matter of choosing the easy option out of not feeling anything , what do you think ?

I believe it's important to distinguish between the factors that initiated addiction and those that perpetuate it. In drug addiction, the initiating factors (while perhaps being brought about by a certain degree of predisposition) might just have been bad luck or bad choices. Once you're addicted, however, the reward system (and physiological reactions to the substance or the absence of it) will keep the dependency going.

For other addictions, I could definitely see predispositions playing a major role - people who gamble a lot, for example, often have underlying psychological issues. It's interesting, for example, that people who have to take dopamine to counteract the symptoms of Parkinson's disease sometimes develop compulsive gambling habits. So the dopamine imbalance in the brain in combination with the medication bring about addictive behaviour.

Cyan Sarden wrote:

MartaLina wrote: There is an interesting discussion going on on facebook, i think that addiction stems from an underlying cause , like disbehaviour and that its not just a matter of choosing the easy option out of not feeling anything , what do you think ?

I believe it's important to distinguish between the factors that initiated addiction and those that perpetuate it. In drug addiction, the initiating factors (while perhaps being brought about by a certain degree of predisposition) might just have been bad luck or bad choices. Once you're addicted, however, the reward system (and physiological reactions to the substance or the absence of it) will keep the dependency going.

For other addictions, I could definitely see predispositions playing a major role - people who gamble a lot, for example, often have underlying psychological issues. It's interesting, for example, that people who have to take dopamine to counteract the symptoms of Parkinson's disease sometimes develop compulsive gambling habits. So the dopamine imbalance in the brain in combination with the medication bring about addictive behaviour.

Yes , so you argue that not only is it always a choice as such but that one circustance can even worsen the other , one could argue that the person with Parkinson is better of with his symptoms than with an added addiction , in those cases its a choice between two evils , i feel for everyone who has to make such a choice , it does not seem fair somehow

Addiction is a pretty broad term and there are many different types. We can become chemically addicted to a substance and suffer physical symptoms of withdrawal, or be psychologically addicted to something or someone that can lead to co-dependence, OCD, or simple habits.

Disease is a broad term too. Applying it to addiction would depend on what specific definition we decide to use for disease.

It could be said that I am addicted to brushing my teeth because it is an activity I do every day and it affects my mood and state of mind if I don't, but I don't consider it a disease or a conscious choice. It's just something that has become a habit.

It is also hard to define when someone is choosing something versus being compelled to do it outside of their control. Being addicted to heroine is not the same as being "addicted" to running. A runner may feel compelled to do it every day for the physical and emotional lift they get from running, but there isn't really a negative consequence to skipping a day or even a week of running, so it is most often considered a choice. There are very real negative consequences for a heroine addict when they suddenly stop using it, but the consequences of quitting are less harmful than the consequences of continuing to use, so we most often consider it an addiction. The question becomes, then, can either be considered a disease? I don't know.

MartaLina wrote: Yes , so you argue that not only is it always a choice as such but that one circustance can even worsen the other , one could argue that the person with Parkinson is better of with his symptoms than with an added addiction , in those cases its a choice between two evils , i feel for everyone who has to make such a choice , it does not seem fair somehow

Oh no, I just meant that addiction can also be caused by psychopathology, or that predispositions can play a role in getting a person addicted. But it always needs action on behalf of the person (or another person, which can be especially sinister) to get into the reward cycle. Even if you have a predisposition to be a gambler, you still need to start gambling to develop the actual addiction. Without that step, you have the predisposition but not the addiction.

Senan wrote: Addiction is a pretty broad term and there are many different types. We can become chemically addicted to a substance and suffer physical symptoms of withdrawal, or be psychologically addicted to something or someone that can lead to co-dependence, OCD, or simple habits.

Disease is a broad term too. Applying it to addiction would depend on what specific definition we decide to use for disease.

It could be said that I am addicted to brushing my teeth because it is an activity I do every day and it affects my mood and state of mind if I don't, but I don't consider it a disease or a conscious choice. It's just something that has become a habit.

It is also hard to define when someone is choosing something versus being compelled to do it outside of their control. Being addicted to heroine is not the same as being "addicted" to running. A runner may feel compelled to do it every day for the physical and emotional lift they get from running, but there isn't really a negative consequence to skipping a day or even a week of running, so it is most often considered a choice. There are very real negative consequences for a heroine addict when they suddenly stop using it, but the consequences of quitting are less harmful than the consequences of continuing to use, so we most often consider it an addiction. The question becomes, then, can either be considered a disease? I don't know.

Yeah i dont know either thats why i am asking you lot

It's both. In my opinion, I only have the perspective of a my own position as recovering alcoholic so accept this for what it is, just my observation on my journey. It for me came no doubt from some genetic disposition, poor mental and spiritual health. It's something that you can notice the predispositions before it takes hold but by the time I recognized these I was already walking that path. It's interesting though because I've had to take other addictive substances for medical reasons and none ever got a hold of me like the sauce. In reality though I let people view it for what they need and that allows most to pick a path that may very well save their lives. Long story short if I had to summarize my opinion it is simply a disease of the spirit and mind (self convincing yourself you need it to get by) that then leads to a physical manifestation through symptoms of withdrawal and consequences of action in inebriated state. However, each should define it as their own as the path to escape is cloudy and rocky a difficult road to walk but one that can be. I needed help to walk mine others may not.

Kobos wrote: It's both. In my opinion, I only have the perspective of a my own position as recovering alcoholic so accept this for what it is, just my observation on my journey. It for me came no doubt from some genetic disposition, poor mental and spiritual health. It's something that you can notice the predispositions before it takes hold but by the time I recognized these I was already walking that path. It's interesting though because I've had to take other addictive substances for medical reasons and none ever got a hold of me like the sauce. In reality though I let people view it for what they need and that allows most to pick a path that may very well save their lives. Long story short if I had to summarize my opinion it is simply a disease of the spirit and mind (self convincing yourself you need it to get by) that then leads to a physical manifestation through symptoms of withdrawal and consequences of action in inebriated state. However, each should define it as their own as the path to escape is cloudy and rocky a difficult road to walk but one that can be. I needed help to walk mine others may not.

I find your story very convincing that it is both , i certainly can see why one substance like alcohol can be more addictive , for me smoking is more addictive as it goes by example , i can still see my parents and their friends sitting enjoying a smoke which seemed to relax them and give them joy , as for alcohol i have the opposite , i remember the agression it brought into our household and the sorrow , something to ponder over ....

Both my parents are recovering alcoholics too but sober since well before both my brother's and my birth. Though it brought a lot of pain into our house and I still know of the scars I left on them; they did something I found very wise and did not intervene until I asked. I don't think I would have been aware or admitted it for what it was by someone telling me, it was something I had to feel. I could explain it as an absolute selfishness, to be completely and utterly cut off from the force in every way and to know only suffering (you also cause others) even when your happy because its only the drug that is synthesizing it. On a side note I smoke Cigarettes and Green but these are vices I know I will deal within the future and besides killing mostly myself have yet to take me to a level like that also moderation is key addiction throws moderation straight out the window.

MartaLina wrote: There is an interesting discussion going on on facebook, i think that addiction stems from an underlying cause , like disbehaviour and that its not just a matter of choosing the easy option out of not feeling anything , what do you think ?

@ Lina What comes from within has been placed. The ...ability to know this ...this one thing , changes everthing. GIGO.
Personal responsibility can mend and even strengthen an individual . its a tough gig cuz no one ever want a to be told its their own fault. I am directly responsible for my actions. There are those who have the same idea. To them, their plight it tough. I'm right there in the thick of it. Addiction can with the right help and focus be overcome by anyone. ANYONE. Every human has their potential . When it come to it, is there enough character to do it. I come from broken home, yet my home is not broken, its built. I come from the streets, yet I do not live street, we have a home. I come from defeat, yet i am not defeated, the difference is, my focus. If the focus is not on anything else, like whos fault or why... Nothing really gets done.


*edit
Some times there are addictions, hard to let go and some times there are choices. Both exist, how long till we finnly let personal addiction drive us? When will the individual take the wheel? Its a wise person that sees where the lack is and takes control. That's called ... ?

Carlos you are indeed a wise man and a lot better speaker than myself much respect.

Kobos wrote: Carlos you are indeed a wise man and a lot better speaker than myself much respect.

* blushing , Just a old Jedi trying to help lol . Thank u for the compliment .

You got at exactly what I was going for but much less emotional a thing i need to consider as that can corrupt my view.

Kobos wrote: You got at exactly what I was going for but much less emotional a thing i need to consider as that can corrupt my view.

The 16 teachings are always my go to on things as such. The "wearyness " in #4 is sooooooo helpful to me. I take it as be mindful of what u attach to...just look at it. Sometime the ability just to look at somthing can make our path...different , same here. So helfull are these 16 simple teachings we have. They r not ours solely, but they help so much if u let em.

I think from personal experience is starts as a choice then becomes an addiction, kinda creeps up on you.
However on the idea of choices, if you think about it, there are many choices we make and are influenced by upbringing and other things, that when you drink or take that first drug, how much of the choice is a conscious decision and not a series of influences/past decisions that make it (the choice) actually a reaction not a decision.
NOt sure thats understandable

carlos.martinez3 wrote:

Kobos wrote: You got at exactly what I was going for but much less emotional a thing i need to consider as that can corrupt my view.

The 16 teachings are always my go to on things as such. The "wearyness " in #4 is sooooooo helpful to me. I take it as be mindful of what u attach to...just look at it. Sometime the ability just to look at somthing can make our path...different , same here. So helfull are these 16 simple teachings we have. They r not ours solely, but they help so much if u let em.

Its good to see the theory behind what we are trying to achieve here , the feeling follows behind usually talking to eachother , helping in need , someone to call when i want a cigarette , it has helped me so much over the months since i stopped smoking since march