To think that addiction is a disease?

[feryon98]

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,).

Yeah, well, the whole human race is addicted to breathing and drinking water... We ALL have addictions that are necessary for our survival. Yet some of you seem rather unsympathetic to people who have addictions that are necessary to their own personal survival that fall outside YOUR norm - and all because those other addictions come under the auspices of 'mental illness'? For shame on you sanctimonious hypocrites. See how long you can give up breathing for - and grow some sympathy for your fellow addicts ✌🏾❣️

Isn't addiction a mental health issue? Diseases spread don't they?

Mental health and addiction go hand in hand often. One feeds the other.
Diseases are spread through physical contact, is my understanding

It’s a mental illness. People don’t choose to be mentally ill.

Calling it a disease is a way of absolving society of any part in it. Similar to mental illness, which RD Laing described as 'a perfectly rational response to an insane world.'

The 'rat park' experiments make for interesting reading: https://www.ukat.co.uk/blog/medicine/what-can-the-rat-park-experiment-teach-us-about-addiction/

Saying addiction is a disease is just a way of excusing it. It’s not a disease. It is a choice. People have self control.

Indeed, I posted a video on rat park earlier on in the thread. I’m surprised by how many people still subscribe to the ‘disease’ model given that’s not what contemporary research suggests. It’s the same for mental health as well though.

Yes it's like saying smoking is a disease. No it causes illness and disease but addiction itself is not a disease, it starts with a choice that escalates, has serious consequences and people need support etc but isn't a disease. Is gambling a disease? No.

@dhstruggling
Living with an alcoholic is very difficult. Have you tried Al Anon which is for families and loved ones of alcoholics?
You Will find help and support there from people who have been through/are going through the same as you.

Anyone talking about willpower and self control is showing a lack of understanding and knowledge of this. It's so much more complex and the vast majority of addicts will need support through AA or similar, treatment plan etc. I than my lucky stars I'm not an alcoholic or drug addict but have huge sympathy for those that do, and their families. It must be hell. Marian Keyes speaks v well on it all and gives great insight into it.
A disease? I don't know. An affliction, absolutely. Something the addict can switch on or off? No.

It really doesn't matter how it's characterised - if the person believes/accepts they are addicted or ill and therefore they are not in control, then that will keep them in that version of reality.

I have sympathy for familes, I don't have sympathy for addicts.

Every single one of us probably enjoys the buzz of a couple of drinks or the relaxing effects if you're prescribed codeine for something. What you don't do is drink or take meds all day every day because we do have willpower and self control.

So many people have mental health issues but they don't become addicts. Once you start giving excuses like it's a disease it then enables the addict in their delusion that they can't help it.

It's not about willpower, ask any expert on the subject.
I enjoy the buzz of a few drinks yes but have never felt I wanted more and more because I have a naturally inbuilt stop button, not because I am so tempted but I hold myself back. Addicts don't have that stop button naturally. One of the first rules in AA is that you are powerless to alcohol and you have to accept that in order to stop. I've never felt powerless so you're just not comparing like with like when you compare addicts to non-addicts as if they are just gluttonous and the rest of us have superior self control.

And in case it's not obvious, the powerlessness is not about working away and shrugging 'Can't help it', it's about acknowledging this is a substance that the addict simply can't handle like you or I, so they must accept that before they can move on. It has a different effect on them.

And yet the addict I know can control it to some degree. They can miraculously not drink if they have to attend something important but then of course binge as soon as they can. They then lie, manipulate and of course play the 'it's not my fault, I can't help it card. I don't have an on off switch like you'.

I've never met an honest addict, have you? One that just admits 'yes i get wasted because it feels good and feeling good is more important to me than being a reliable, unselfish person'.

I don't think it's feeling good.. it's relieving the feelings of withdrawal. It's avoidance of the feelings of discomfort that xome along with that. I agree addicts can be selfish and dishonest. Unfortunately I think it foes with the territory. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be martyring myself for an addict that wasn't going to help themselves and I would totally understand anyone leaving or distancing themselves. I would still very sorry for that person.

I consider myself to be an honest addict.
I'm a smoker.
I've tried quitting SO many times, but always end up back to it.
I don't make excuses for it, unsuccessful quitting is my responsibility. I know it damages my health, i know it damages my bank account, and i know that i find it extremely difficult to ignore the gnawing in my head that I want a cigarette and all of the jitters that go along with it.

I dont know if addiction is a disease or not, but it's certainly a compulsion, and those who say "you just need some willpower!" make me want to eject my eyeballs as I'm one of the most strong willed people i know - but nicotine beats me every time which really pisses me off.

Im trying to quit again but in the middle of a house sell/buy/move so my brain is doing its "now is not the time, just smoke through this and quit when youre installed"
Of course, once installed it'll be a celebratory fag because isnt it nice to have an espresso and a coffee in relative peace and quiet.

It almost feels like rational brain spends its time at war with addiction brain and rational brain knows your lying to yourself.

I think a big part of the reason ‘addicts’ can be dishonest is because of the enormous amount of stigma, shaming and ignorance around addiction as proved by this thread. Health professionals and NHS services also often treat those with addiction issues in a derogatory and de-humanising way, which is a massive barrier to seeking treatment.

I think a big part of why addicts lie is because they do indeed know what they are doing is wrong, self destructive and causes massive harm to their loved ones yet their feelings matter more than their loved ones.

There isn't a stigma or shame about addiction just most people who have experience of it via family members refuse to accept the 'it's a disease they can't help it' narrative so the addict hides it lest they have to put up with folk trying to help.

@Gloriia It can be impossibly hard for family members. However there is a massive stigma and shame around addiction which is a problem.

There's a massive stigma. I can't tell you one person I know who's an addict, and yet I'm sure I know one. Very very few people would say openly that they're an addict or even a recovering addict.

There is massive intolerance and exasperation from anyone who has experience of it. So what if a bit of shame is thrown in, they should be ashamed.

People who aren't binge drinkers and drug addicts may have mental health issues, perhaps a history or abuse which leads ro ptsd. What they don't all do is get so shitfaced on a daily basis that then leads to their family members developing mental health issues and ptsd through the mess that an addict causes.

There are plenty of schemes, support groups, treatment but they have got to want it but most don't because they actually like being off their faces.

@Gloriia You’ve obviously got personal experiences which are clouding your objective judgement.

Shame is never helpful and underpins most mental health issues, including addiction.

It’s a complex topic that can’t be reduced down to ‘it’s a choice’. That is ignorant and wrong. There is a well documented lack of support for those with addiction issues, it certainly is not plentiful! It is well known that people tend to get bounced between services, as mental health teams won’t see people with active addiction, but the criteria for addiction services is very high and mental health support is scarce. Therefore often the underlying issues remain unresolved. I say this as a psychologist who worked in addictions for several years, I also lecture on the subject - stigma and lack of services is a massive problem.

I sincerely congratulate those in the thread who have managed to overcome addiction, it is certainly not easy.

Yes it is complex. What we mustn't do is simplify and enable by saying it is a disease and they can't help it. It isn't a disease and they can help it albeit with support. They just have to want to and most don't.

I do agree that it isn’t a ‘disease’, it can certainly lead to disease and ill health though. I think that calling addiction a disease can position someone in a helpless sick role which isn’t helpful. There needs to be more support for individuals AND families.