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AIBU?

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To think that addiction is a disease?

352 replies

feryon98 · 19/01/2025 15:07

Was having a discussion with a few coworkers about this and it seems to offend them when people claimed addiction is a disease and they said people with actual diseases don't have a choice.

Yes, addiction it's self inflicted but there are many diseases which are caused by an initial choice (e.g Eating unhealthy can cause Type II diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure,).

OP posts:
mumofoneAlonebutokay · 19/01/2025 15:11

Yes, yanbu, it's a disease

Although addiction should include non physical addictions such as food, gambling, sex

ComtesseDeSpair · 19/01/2025 15:09

I suspect it’s because whilst addiction meets the criteria for a disease, it’s also a disease with symptoms which don’t just affect the person with the disease, but have a disproportionately difficult and traumatic impact on those around them. That clouds people’s desire to understand and acknowledge what makes up addictions.

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