Is alcohol and drug addiction a disease?

Question

A friend of mine shared a story with me of a heated conversation she had with a coworker about this topic. I've heard some debate about this quite a bit lately. What do you think. Is addiction a disease (in your opinion).

Answer

Well it's fact that it is lmao, it's not an opinion, it literally factually is considered a chronic brain disease and is also genetic.

Answer

Yes, it's an illness. It's not an opinion but a fact. Any health professional will tell you that.

Answer

ANY addiction is a mental illness which is a disease. It's just facts.

Answer

It's a choice - they choose to buy the drugs - they choose to take the drugs - the choose to keep doing it - cancer is a disease it just happens - heroine doesn't just happen to you

Answer

"Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized  by compulsive drug seeking and usage, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain; they change its structure and how it works."

But of course, thats according to CDC. Im sure some people here know more than every researcher there.

Answer

As a recovering drug addict, it is absolutely a disease. No doubt, I got myself where I was, and I became a drug addict out of my own action. That's on me. But I could not "just quit", there was no way. It is absolutely a disease. I was hospitalized for cardiac issues during withdrawal because my body was reacting so harshly to a lack of substance. Addiction may be caused by ones self, but that doesn't mean it isn't a disease.

Answer

It is an illness, but also something that a person has control over.

Answer

A lot of civilians and doctors say alcoholism and drug abuse are classified as a "disease"; a disease which we all know of just like a cancer or STD. It just appalls me honestly. My cousin was legally pronounced dead 3 times from cocaine OD. He's now been clean for years. I just don't understand for the life of me how adult addicts can get Narcan (and others depending on the drug dependency) for free but children and adults with cancer have to pay for chemotherapy. So to say it is a disease and offer more effective and affordable drugs and groups for a cure/ mental well being and not having those same options as easily available to a person bed bound from a disease, I simply do not understand.

Answer

Yes a self inflicted disease

Answer

I believe that it is a disease. And I also see where people are mentioning hard drugs but what about the ones that people get addicted to that are supposed to help them for their depression, anxiety, whatever. They were given these as a way to help and it somehow ended up becoming their life. I believe all people have different levels of tolerance to drugs/alcohol and they could have been drinking for years and that one night when they drink 1oz more it becomes something they can't live without.

I don't believe anyone as a kid said they want to grow up to become a heroine addict or heavy drinker.

Things happen in people's lives and they don't know how how to cope properly. So it's a lot of other things that can go with the addiction. I wouldn't just say yep it's your fault all your fault.  Some people yes, but I don't think they all can be out to blame.

Is alcohol and drug addiction a disease?

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