Is Addiction a Disease or a Choice?
When addiction was first brought to light as a brain disease, even being a person in recovery, I found it hard to believe. The idea that addiction was a disease seemed to be more of a “cop out” or just another way for the addicted person to avoid being held accountable for their drinking or drugging. I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt this way. Now, having spent quite a few years in the substance use field, I not only understand this but can also break down the answer in very simple terms.
Is Addiction a Disease or a Choice? Breaking Down the Argument
There are so many sides to this. Even those in recovery from substance use find themselves in heated debates about this. Yes, we all realize that addiction is very different from a disease such as diabetes or cancer. At the same time, addiction is in fact both progressive and fatal just the same.
However, I know that you’re looking for the concrete answer… So Here We GO!
Many believe addiction is not a disease because it’s caused by the person’s choice to use drugs and/or alcohol. That’s true. The first time is a choice.
So why do some people become addicted, while others don’t?
If you’re genetically predisposed to this illness (meaning addiction runs in your family), scientists say your brain chemistry will change upon introduction. Once the brain has been chemically changed or altered by addiction, most experts believe that the person loses the power of choice and control of their behavior.
THIS IS THE FUN PART!
Here’s Why…
Drugs’ Effect on Mood – On a Scale of 1 to 10
On your best day ever, let’s say you get a promotion at work, your child takes their first steps, or you finally get that brand new car… in a natural state of mind you may find yourself at about a 7-8 in “feel good”, but never quite reach 10.
On your worst day ever, let’s say you lose your job, your wife leaves you, and you total your brand new car… in a natural state you may find yourself at about a 4 in sadness.
Now, let’s introduce cocaine.
When someone does cocaine their serotonin levels fly off the scale. This person may find themselves at a 20!
Everyone knows that what goes up must come down
However, when coming back down, that person doesn’t go back to 6 or 5. They may not even stop at 4. That person is likely to find themselves in the negatives.
Here comes the science…
For the sake of this discussion I will focus on 2 parts of the brain. Don’t worry, I’m going to keep this simple.
- Prefrontal Cortex = Logic and Reasoning
- Amygdala = Survival Tendency
When the coming back down effect begins to take place and a person begins to go below 0, the Amygdala part of the brain begins to take over. Essentially, It hijacks the prefrontal cortex.
The brain is now telling itself that it needs more of this drug to get back even to a 5 to feel normal again. The Amygdala takes over because the brain kicks into survival mode. The primal instincts of this person tells them that this drug has now become a “need” just like food and water.
Logic and reason tells us that this is completely insane. Once the Amygdala has taken over that individual becomes nearly incapable of making reasonable and logical decisions. This state of mind will take them to incredible lows to obtain this drug that they believe they now need.
This is why those in active addiction often turn to stealing, lying, and committing various crimes to feed their habit.
This is also a major factor in why addiction will ultimately become fatal. Because those individuals are no longer in control of their own thoughts that drive their actions.
Addiction: A Disease and a Choice
So… At the end of this the answer can technically be considered both a choice and a disease. Initially there has to be a choice to introduce drugs or alcohol into the body. At the same time I don’t know a single person who has never tried alcohol. This clearly increases the potential of someone succumbing to alcoholism for example.
Once the substance is introduced and/or this alteration of the mind takes place, their addiction is now in the form of a disease. A chronic and fatal mental illness.
Making the Decision to Recover
Please keep in mind that those that do fall victim to this never thought it would happen to them. They may have chosen to take the substance, but never chose to have the addiction. They probably thought that having a beer would have the same outcome as the majority of the population… meaning they could simply take it or leave it. Worse off, when this does happen, the individual most times fails to realize that there is a problem. They believe they are still in control.
From this point the only way to get the disease under control is to get that person in drug and alcohol treatment and encourage a path of abstinence and recovery.
They may need medical detox to assist with withdrawal symptoms that will occur after the halting of long term use. It is always recommended that detox is followed by a cognitive behavioral/therapeutic addiction recovery treatment program to help analyze one’s addiction on an individualized basis to help them overcome their addiction in the long run.
Help is available.
To learn more about addiction treatment programs including our New Jersey Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and medical addiction treatment, contact Liberty Wellness in Berlin, NJ for a confidential consultation.
