I am sure this has been a topic for discussion in the past, but WTF.
My opinion is that addiction is not a disease.
My opinion is that addiction is not a disease.
Is addiction a disease?
- Thread starter rodgerblue
- Start date
It's kind of like AIDS or Hepatitis C in my opinion. Easily avoidable, but a disease nonetheless.
Yea, it's always amusing seeing uneducated stupid people posing questions that are already answered. They think their opinions are just as valid as actual facts. Good stuff.
vaccinces cause autism. jennny mccarthy said so, and her boobs are awesome.
Having lived through several addictions and rehabs, yes, it's a disease. I won't get into all of the evidence and facts that basically confirm it. Having turned my life around after, I can say true addicts live with it daily; it doesn't matter if you're currently using or recovering.
I always remember the day when some stranger forced me to snort cocaine with a gun to my head....
Diseases to me are things that you have no immediate control over. Cancer, MS, Leukemia, ALS.....
Addiction has been considered a disease quire recently because big pharma companies found out they can make tons of loot off of people that are addicted to their products, or the products that they are treated with to overcome the addiction.
Look at a heroin addict and tell me how it is a disease? No one put that needle in your arm, no one forced you to take that pill. Addiction is addiction, not a medical disease.
FWIW - I was in a wreck in 05 where my aorta ruptured, I woke up out of an induced coma weeks later and I was paralyzed and had one leg aputated, that's not my point. My point is that during the whole time that I was in Frazier Rehab I didn't take ONE pain pill, anyone that has been to Frazier knows how strenuous and demanding that their therapy techniques work great, but are very painful. Now the Dr did put me on Fentanyl patches when I came out of the coma, but I didn't use them at all because I didn't want to get addicted to pain medicine, same reason that I didn't take the pills.
Now I probably could have taken the pain pills that the Dr 's ordered, but I would most likely have become addicted. Now please tell me how and when that would become a disease, instead of being a crutch?
Addiction has been considered a disease quire recently because big pharma companies found out they can make tons of loot off of people that are addicted to their products, or the products that they are treated with to overcome the addiction.
Look at a heroin addict and tell me how it is a disease? No one put that needle in your arm, no one forced you to take that pill. Addiction is addiction, not a medical disease.
FWIW - I was in a wreck in 05 where my aorta ruptured, I woke up out of an induced coma weeks later and I was paralyzed and had one leg aputated, that's not my point. My point is that during the whole time that I was in Frazier Rehab I didn't take ONE pain pill, anyone that has been to Frazier knows how strenuous and demanding that their therapy techniques work great, but are very painful. Now the Dr did put me on Fentanyl patches when I came out of the coma, but I didn't use them at all because I didn't want to get addicted to pain medicine, same reason that I didn't take the pills.
Now I probably could have taken the pain pills that the Dr 's ordered, but I would most likely have become addicted. Now please tell me how and when that would become a disease, instead of being a crutch?
Define disease. And define it precisely. Then and only then can we even begin to debate whether or not addiction is a disease.
Yes. There's a difference than getting hammered and getting up everyday and not being able to function if you haven't had a drink.
It fits as a disease for three reasons: like some diseases it's chronic, meaning if you don't get treatment or a plan of care it will last a lifetime. 2. It has a predictable course. And 3. it has symptoms.
The problem with people that don't think it is are that they are overwhelmingly consumed with judging those people from a moral standpoint as opposed than a health standpoint...just look at some of the responses in the thread.
It fits as a disease for three reasons: like some diseases it's chronic, meaning if you don't get treatment or a plan of care it will last a lifetime. 2. It has a predictable course. And 3. it has symptoms.
The problem with people that don't think it is are that they are overwhelmingly consumed with judging those people from a moral standpoint as opposed than a health standpoint...just look at some of the responses in the thread.
You wanna know what I'm addicted to? Steak! Now does anybody know where to find the best one in Lexington?
I also consider a disease as something you have no control over it happening to your body. An addict is just an addict. When I was in my 20's I use to go out partying and drinking all the time. I gave it up when I decided there were more important things to do with my money and time. I could have easily kept doing it and become addicted to it even more, but that was my choice so it isn't a disease to me. If I went to the Dr tomorrow and they said I have Cancer, then I would have a disease. Claiming addiction is a disease just seems like a way for people to justify their choices.
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<<<<attempts to contact Wilfred Brimley to confirm or deny.
you can cure yousrelf of some forms of heart disease by putting down the burger and fries too. plenty of diseases are also easily avoided by lifestyle choices just like not allowing yourself to become addicted to something by not doing it in the first place.
if an MD calls it a disease then it's a disease, but then ofcourse there's money to be made. :sunglasses:
if an MD calls it a disease then it's a disease, but then ofcourse there's money to be made. :sunglasses:
You weren't an addict my friend. Otherwise there is no deciding that were more "important" things to do. The brain of an addict works different than the brain of a normal person - like yours.
I very much think its a disease.
I don't think so. But I think it really depends on how you define a "disease". I think the proper terminology is that addiction is a Disorder. But as we've seen in many aspects of life, how we define things has been changed over time.
Psychological disorders can cause physical symptoms, which some attribute to only diseases.
Psychological disorders can cause physical symptoms, which some attribute to only diseases.
" Gaw, I have a disease, Sharon"
I don't eat fast food, therefore I won't get diabetes or heart disease bc I decided not to eat it...therefore those aren't diseases. You partying and deciding to stop has nothing to do with if it's a disease. You were never addicted in the first place and never would be. I'm 32, I binge drank the entire way through college and pretty much every weekend in my 20's...I was never at risk. Some people who are alcoholics didn't get there bc they decided to party. That has nothing to do with anything.
I DRANK AND SMOKE ALL THR TINE BUT I WAS ABLE TO QUIT BECAUSE I AINT GOT ADDICTION GENE. THANKS DR DREW
/progressive
The idea that there is a specific gene for addiction is dumber than ****, but whatever makes you feel better.
/progressive
The idea that there is a specific gene for addiction is dumber than ****, but whatever makes you feel better.
You still got any of them patches or pills that you didn't use?
*asking for a friend.
I think all the nit picking is useless because it has to be treated as a disease. I've known some addicts and the behavior is incomprehensible to me. One friend, a guy who I had been on fishing trips with as well as service days at church, admitted himself for treatment of alcoholism. I had never seen him drink and was shocked he drank at all, much less was drinking from the time he woke up until he went to bed. Comparing this to someone who likes drinking at some weekend parties is like comparing a puddle to the ocean.
I like gravy on biscuits so I must be addicted. I like good cigars and a good cup of coffee. I must be an addict
There is a lot of inexperienced stupid in this thread. :100points:
Whatever the dumbest thing ever posted on the internet was is safely in second now.
Something can be a medical disease without requiring you to feel the exact same about something else that's also a disease.