Do You Believe Addiction is a Disease, Or... [POLL!]

[Depersonalized]

I do not believe addiction is a disease. It's just sugarcoating bullshit.

 

[jayslapmc]

In Australia Problem Gambling IS counted as a disease.

a man made disease! without the means/environment to gamble there would be no problem would there?

 

[Enlitx]

Wow, there is so much misinformation in this post it is ridiculous. Let me start by saying that I would believe the prestigious doctors of the AMA over a bunch of people on this board any day since I am a biochemist, but if you aren't keen on the argument from authority stance let me elaborate as to why addiction is a disease.

First of all, to the people saying is not like cancer or arterial problems, please broaden your scope of biology. Cancer and other conditions that are clearly recognized as diseases work by overtly affecting the operations of mechanical organs. A blocked artery stops your heart (pump) from working, therefore it is very easy and predictable to see the course of this disease. Addiction is a disease of the brain, and it is not overt. It does not destroy massive amounts of neurons so you cannot function, it destroys and alters specific neurons that results in a change of your normal function. Because the brain is a very complex organ, expect very complex results if a disease affects it. This includes drug seeking behavior, different behavioral patterns, and an inability to make choices as one previously did. Free will is an illusion, and drugs simply work to interrupt the processes of a normal brain so that it cannot function well enough to mask this illusion as effectively (compulsive drug seeking behavior).

Secondly, simply because people choose to do drugs doesen't make them responsible for the disease of addiction. Does choosing high fat foods make heart disease a moral failure instead of a real disease? Choices may lead to a disease, but they are not the disease itself. This distinction is very important. By the time one is addicted, it is no longer simply a choice to do drugs as we understand the term.

As stated earlier, peole need to understand the difference between addiction and withdrawl symptoms, people trying to tie the two together as if the latter is the proof for the former are severely confused about the subject.

I guess I was expecting more from the bluelight posters. You have an environmental toxin (drug) that produces anatomical changes in an organ (the brain) that leads to an altered state of existence (addiction) that is worse for you than a healthy person. The fact that drugs get you high makes people opt to risk this disease much more than people would, say, swallow plutonium and risk cancer. But the subjective effects have nothing to do with why it is a disease.

 

[eon_blue]

Secondly, simply because people choose to do drugs doesen't make them responsible for the disease of addiction. Does choosing high fat foods make heart disease a moral failure instead of a real disease? Choices may lead to a disease, but they are not the disease itself. This distinction is very important. By the time one is addicted, it is no longer simply a choice to do drugs as we understand the term.

Quoted for truth.

Excellent post Enlitx

 

[ATF]

Very good post Enlitx
That makes a lot of sense to me.
I wonder if anyone can top that?

 

[MistaJeff]

if addiction is a disease you may as well put pathological and problem gambling as also being diseases.

if you want to say addiction is a disease u might as well go as far to say religion is a disease, or better yet the human race is a disease of the earth.

Gambling is and addiction and therefore I think its a disease, I see religion as not a disease but a mass psychosis. Humans aren't a disease they're a virus, haven't you seen the matrix?

 

[Enlitx]

Gambling is and addiction and therefore I think its a disease, I see religion as not a disease but a mass psychosis. Humans aren't a disease they're a virus, haven't you seen the matrix?

There was a drug that released dopamine in order to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The problem was that it released dopamine into unintended parts of the brain, and specifically the nucleus accumbens. One doctor noted that every single patient he prescribed the drug for developed compulsive gambling or sexual habits, and after the drugs was removed their behavior returned to normal. Further proof that the "choices" we make are not really choices at all.

 

[MinaLoy1124]

I dont think that it is a disease. I do believe that genetics play a major role in weather or not someone is an addict, but its more or less mind over matter. Alcoholism runs in my family, yet I have never had a big issue with drinking. My one year where I lived in a dorm, yeah I drank A LOT and more so when I wanted an escape, but I think that comes with the territory. I have never had a problem quitting anything except smoking...however after smoking for 9 years I have successfully quit! I think that addicts are people who dont have enough will power or self control to remove that from their life, even if it was for the better. I think that people who suffer from addiction, are going to have less control over it if addiction runs in their family.

 

[ayjay]

I think that addicts are people who dont have enough will power or self control ...

Drug dependence is not a willpower issue. Being drug dependent is not a signifier of weak will.

 

[Ashtonmuffin]

I think it's a disease, but maybe that's just all the rehab and twelve steps etched into my brain. It's hard to give an unbiased thought because of that. But I think that once you have an addiction, you need to treat it - much like that of a disease. But, strictly my opinion - not fact.

 

[Enlitx]

I dont think that it is a disease. I do believe that genetics play a major role in weather or not someone is an addict, but its more or less mind over matter. Alcoholism runs in my family, yet I have never had a big issue with drinking. My one year where I lived in a dorm, yeah I drank A LOT and more so when I wanted an escape, but I think that comes with the territory. I have never had a problem quitting anything except smoking...however after smoking for 9 years I have successfully quit! I think that addicts are people who dont have enough will power or self control to remove that from their life, even if it was for the better. I think that people who suffer from addiction, are going to have less control over it if addiction runs in their family.

So your answer to a disease that directly affects the motivational aspects of the brain is that it is the person's lack of power in this afflicted region? I take it you think that Diabetic patients just have an eating problem?

 

[NickyBundles]

Addiction is a disease of the brain, and it is not overt. It does not destroy massive amounts of neurons so you cannot function, it destroys and alters specific neurons that results in a change of your normal function. Because the brain is a very complex organ, expect very complex results if a disease affects it. This includes drug seeking behavior, different behavioral patterns, and an inability to make choices as one previously did. Free will is an illusion, and drugs simply work to interrupt the processes of a normal brain so that it cannot function well enough to mask this illusion as effectively (compulsive drug seeking behavior).

I agree that while addicted different behavioral patterns emerge and an ability to make choices as one previously did are altered, but to say the reason for this is destroyed neurons? Not to sure on that one.

If this is true then the disease must work both ways, it would then have to be able to repair all of those specific neurons it damaged because I've witnessed in the flesh a person go from honest respectful human to heroin addicted maniac. Thing is tho, if you met him now you wouldn't possibly ever think he was a heroin addict.

So what happened here? With out turning this into a novel, did a disease destroy the specific neurons in his brain that changed him from who he was, to an addict, and back to who he was again, or did life just happen and he realized being an addict was the opposite direction on the path he wanders?

 

[J2012B]

Wow, there is so much misinformation in this post it is ridiculous. Let me start by saying that I would believe the prestigious doctors of the AMA over a bunch of people on this board any day since I am a biochemist, but if you aren't keen on the argument from authority stance let me elaborate as to why addiction is a disease.

First of all, to the people saying is not like cancer or arterial problems, please broaden your scope of biology. Cancer and other conditions that are clearly recognized as diseases work by overtly affecting the operations of mechanical organs. A blocked artery stops your heart (pump) from working, therefore it is very easy and predictable to see the course of this disease. Addiction is a disease of the brain, and it is not overt. It does not destroy massive amounts of neurons so you cannot function, it destroys and alters specific neurons that results in a change of your normal function. Because the brain is a very complex organ, expect very complex results if a disease affects it. This includes drug seeking behavior, different behavioral patterns, and an inability to make choices as one previously did. Free will is an illusion, and drugs simply work to interrupt the processes of a normal brain so that it cannot function well enough to mask this illusion as effectively (compulsive drug seeking behavior).

Secondly, simply because people choose to do drugs doesen't make them responsible for the disease of addiction. Does choosing high fat foods make heart disease a moral failure instead of a real disease? Choices may lead to a disease, but they are not the disease itself. This distinction is very important. By the time one is addicted, it is no longer simply a choice to do drugs as we understand the term.

As stated earlier, peole need to understand the difference between addiction and withdrawl symptoms, people trying to tie the two together as if the latter is the proof for the former are severely confused about the subject.

I guess I was expecting more from the bluelight posters. You have an environmental toxin (drug) that produces anatomical changes in an organ (the brain) that leads to an altered state of existence (addiction) that is worse for you than a healthy person. The fact that drugs get you high makes people opt to risk this disease much more than people would, say, swallow plutonium and risk cancer. But the subjective effects have nothing to do with why it is a disease.

game over.

 

[itsjustme]

Hell. Fucking. No. It's giving in to weakness, pure and simple. Coming from someone who would LOVE to be able to blame the past yrs & mistakes on "my disease." Oh poor me.

It's a choice, EVERY TIME, no matter how addicted one may be.

 

[Enlitx]

I agree that while addicted different behavioral patterns emerge and an ability to make choices as one previously did are altered, but to say the reason for this is destroyed neurons? Not to sure on that one.

If this is true then the disease must work both ways, it would then have to be able to repair all of those specific neurons it damaged because I've witnessed in the flesh a person go from honest respectful human to heroin addicted maniac. Thing is tho, if you met him now you wouldn't possibly ever think he was a heroin addict.

So what happened here? With out turning this into a novel, did a disease destroy the specific neurons in his brain that changed him from who he was, to an addict, and back to who he was again, or did life just happen and he realized being an addict was the opposite direction on the path he wanders?

It is not only the loss of neurons that affects behavior. It is receptor downregulation, depletion of neurotransmitters, etc.... Anyways, most studies suggest that it takes approximately two years for your brain to return to a normal state of functioning. It takes time for your neurons to make connections that reinforce normal behavior instead of addictive behavior. Instead of having rock hard connections that join drug intake with a massive amount of dopamine release in the mesolimbic system, your brain must strengthen connections that reinforce other behaviors.

Without the massive amounts of neurotransmitters involved with drugs, it takes much longer for the normal connections of axons and dendrites to predominate over your old behavior. Not only that, receptor proteins must be generated and adhered to the right positions in the brain, neurotransmitters levels must be steady in conjuction with the receptor regeneration, and there is a certain degree of neurogenesis that must occur. In all, it is a lengthy process.

 

[NickyBundles]

I guess I just dont get how it's possible for this 'disease' to consciously be reversed to pre-disease brain function, meaning that one day I'm going to just say I'm done and never touch heroin again, and unless I'm not gettin what you just wrote, all I have to do is wait for this lengthy process to occur and I'm disease free. Damn, If i had cancer this certainly would never work, ehh fuck it I haven't slept in 2 days I'll be back to argue later.

 

[MynameisnotDeja]

Hell. Fucking. No. It's giving in to weakness, pure and simple. Coming from someone who would LOVE to be able to blame the past yrs & mistakes on "my disease." Oh poor me.

It's a choice, EVERY TIME, no matter how addicted one may be.

I agree. It can be a physical addiction, I'm not denying that. But even a physical addiction is a choice. EVERYTHING we do is a choice. Some people may genetically or emotionally have a harder time with that choice, but it's still a choice. Calling it a "disease" just takes away the power of those who need to find power within themselves the most.

Just so you know, this is coming from someone who smoked crack cocaine for over a year and then walked away from it cold turkey. I certainly had a habit, but when it came down to it, it was a choice, and I made the choice to walk away. Pretty simple.

 

[Enlitx]

I agree. It can be a physical addiction, I'm not denying that. But even a physical addiction is a choice. EVERYTHING we do is a choice. Some people may genetically or emotionally have a harder time with that choice, but it's still a choice. Calling it a "disease" just takes away the power of those who need to find power within themselves the most.

Just so you know, this is coming from someone who smoked crack cocaine for over a year and then walked away from it cold turkey. I certainly had a habit, but when it came down to it, it was a choice, and I made the choice to walk away. Pretty simple.

Since when was a disease equated with complete mind control/zombie like behavior? Does heart disease take over the rhythmic contractions of the heart and completely hijack it as to be in complete control of it, or does it disrupt the functioning as to show deviations from normal behavior? Of course you can still choose not to do drugs, but the disease makes this "choice" exponentially more difficult.

And physical addiction is a choice? What, do people say "Gee, brain, would you stop producing so many endorphins and downregulate my mu receptors so I feel like shit without a drug, that would be swell". I think what you meant to say is that using drugs while knowing it may lead to physical dependence is a choice, but that is seperate from the physical dependence. This is just like using drugs while knowing addiction may occur is seperate from the disease of addiction itself. I think this illustrates your lack of understanding on this topic.

 

[MynameisnotDeja]

"Gee, brain, would you stop producing so many endorphins and downregulate my mu receptors so I feel like shit without a drug, that would be swell". I think what you meant to say is that using drugs while knowing it may lead to physical dependence is a choice, but that is seperate from the physical dependence. This is just like using drugs while knowing addiction may occur is seperate from the disease of addiction itself. I think this illustrates your lack of understanding on this topic.

No that is not what I meant to say. Perpetuating a condition of physical dependence is still a choice. So, a person feels like shit and is physically addicted to a drug, so they keep doing it in order to not feel like shit. This is a choice. Like I said, I was hooked on crack cocaine for a long time. I felt like shit without it. When I quit, it was a simple choice. I felt like shit for months and dreamed about the stuff, had shaking hands and cold sweats for a long long long time. Was depressed and miserable. My body wanted crack. My brain wanted crack. But who I am is not in the flesh of my body or the cells of my brain, who I am is my soul, my spirit, thats what tells my brain what to do and feel. So my body might have been physically addicted but I still made the choice to NOT SMOKE CRACK.

What about this don't I understand? If you want to call the state of physical dependence a disease, fine. My problem is with those who use the term "i have a disease" as a way to get out of personal responsibility for their actions. Like, my dad was an alcoholic so I'm an alcoholic, and I can't stop. Bullshit. Anyone can stop if they want to. The problem is they just don't want to.

 

[Enlitx]

No that is not what I meant to say. Perpetuating a condition of physical dependence is still a choice. So, a person feels like shit and is physically addicted to a drug, so they keep doing it in order to not feel like shit. This is a choice. Like I said, I was hooked on crack cocaine for a long time. I felt like shit without it. When I quit, it was a simple choice. I felt like shit for months and dreamed about the stuff, had shaking hands and cold sweats for a long long long time. Was depressed and miserable. My body wanted crack. My brain wanted crack. But who I am is not in the flesh of my body or the cells of my brain, who I am is my soul, my spirit, thats what tells my brain what to do and feel. So my body might have been physically addicted but I still made the choice to NOT SMOKE CRACK.

What about this don't I understand? If you want to call the state of physical dependence a disease, fine. My problem is with those who use the term "i have a disease" as a way to get out of personal responsibility for their actions. Like, my dad was an alcoholic so I'm an alcoholic, and I can't stop. Bullshit. Anyone can stop if they want to. The problem is they just don't want to.

Once again, I must conclude that you are woefully misinformed on this topic. Physical dependence is not a disease, and it certainly isn't the disease of addiction. I already explained why addiction is a disease. There is no such thing as a soul, spirit, or whatever supernatural bullshit you want to throw around. I challenge you to even define those terms in any meaningful way. Perhaps that is why you are so far off on this topic, because you actually believe there is a something beyond your brain that is telling you what to do. Perhaps your "soul" could save you from blunt trauma to the cerebrum? No? Well, I don't see why you think it would be effective against other maladies then.

I never said people don't have a role in ending addiction. If someone has cancer, they are expected to attend regular chemotherapy sessions to rid themselves of the disease. So people with the disease of addiction need to see a specialist in order to deal with it, and this may include a regiment of medication. Look up the disease model and explain to me how addiction does not fit the criteria.