Drug addiction is not a disease.
For years, some of the more prominent “self-help” and 12 step programs have proclaimed that drug addiction is a disease. They have been able to get away with this even though there is not one shred of evidence that proves that theory.
Putting drug addiction into a category of a disease takes away from the moral responsibility of the drug user.
It also gives the drug user the excuse that if it is a disease, there is nothing they can do about it. Just recently, amidst a big push to have drug addiction declared a brain disease, congress shot down the idea.
Drug addicts may not intend to become addicts, but they do choose to take that first dose of drugs. Once they are addicted, the addiction makes it more difficult for them to stop. Drug addiction is a long-term problem and society wants to apply short-term solutions. Drug addiction IS a problem, and it does involve the brain but that does not make it a disease.
If drug addiction and alcoholism were to be considered diseases, then so would every behavioral problem that is in existence.
Drugs do affect the brain and part of the addiction is the desire to get more and more drugs. However, the root of the problem is that it is a choice as to whether to continue to obtain the drugs.
By thinking of drug addiction as a disease, it makes the addict and family and friends feel just a little bit better about the addiction. They figure “It IS a disease, after all. My loved one has no control over it.“
That just makes things easier for everyone and gives the addict more reason to stay on the drug. While genetics and the development of the nervous system might influence the likelihood of addiction, in the end it boils down to personal choice. That personal choice dwindles as the addiction gets worse, but no one forces anyone to take that first hit and to get high that first time.
The debate will probably rage on for some time to come, as there are people who are on each side of the fence. The important thing is that the addicts take responsibility for their actions. Providing them with an excuse is not going to help them at all. People choose to try a drug. They choose to continue taking the drugs and some choose to get help getting off of the drugs. They are choices, in disease, there is no choice.
Nick Hayes is a graduate of the Narconon drug rehab program in 2005. Nick takes much enjoyment in writing, and feels there needs to be more information about drugs and alcohol provided to the people of the world. He believes nobody should have to go through an addiction.