Is Drug Addiction A Choice Or A Disease?

dude4?
#1. January 7th, 2009, at 1:13 AM.

I’d say it’s an addiction. It doesn’t start off as a choice. You don’t say, “I want to be addicted to heroin.” You start off by making one bad decision which leads to a bad habit and then you start making more bad choices and it snowballs.

It’s definately not a disease. I’ve been addicted to drugs and I’ve had diseases. No comparison.

I was offered my first cigarette when I was in kindergarten and I accepted. Did I choose at that point to be a drug addict? I didn’t know the long term affects and how it would lead me to smoking weed and so on.

I chose to quit all that. You can’t just choose to quit having a disease. If it really matters to you and it’s really what you want, you can choose to walk away. But it takes awhile to get to that point, and I had to choose it again and again.
And again.

??CJR??
#2. January 8th, 2009, at 2:12 PM.

well it starts as a choice but then becomes a disease cuz when u take it u fell “good” but instead of going back to the normal line u go “below” it and thats where addiction starts and you want more…idk if i explained it good but thats my opinion

michele
#3. January 9th, 2009, at 1:41 AM.

Addictions are complex conditions. There are elements of both choice AND disease.

THE BUSY BEE
#4. January 10th, 2009, at 3:16 AM.

it can be both. the choice is made to take a drug then the addiction kicks in therefore it becomes like a disease that cannot not be killed.

evanlah
#5. January 11th, 2009, at 4:36 AM.

Id like to say its a choice, because we all have free will. However, I am going to say its a disease, because some can not control this addiction. Just like with alcohol, and food, it really can take over and control you. I guess someone that has never had that disease, or something similar, would consider it a choice.

Queen
#6. January 14th, 2009, at 8:22 AM.

it starts as a choice, then leads to an additction

Felipa S
#7. January 15th, 2009, at 2:35 PM.

Starts as a choice, becomes a disease, mentally and physically.

FEMMALABUSHE
#8. January 18th, 2009, at 7:46 AM.

so people are predisposed to addictions, so its kind of in between, let me tell you why: hold on!
ok back… now you have various types of drugs they all bring a different high so to speak, though some are similar highs they are all a bit different.
lets take drugs like speed and heroin: a person that would get addicted to those would have differnt types of personallitys.
as heroin is a downer and speed is a upper.
so if a person is depressed and doing heroin it is NOT good! as they are more likly to become addicted, as it will make them feel better.
and a person that is in a different mind set – like happy- or not depressed – would be more likly to get addicted to speed.
see, drugs do different things to different people it has to do with body chemistry and mental status.
so like me I have tryed every drug and there are some I hate and some I have been addicted to. it all depends on the person.
and yes it is a choice you ARE correct, but when you injest drugs that alters your mind and you sometimes no longs can MAKE that choice as the drugs have taken control over you to the point of NOT BEING ABLE TO THINK like a reasonable sane, sober person. this id why drugs are mostly illegal as most people cannnot think clearly and make sane choices on them,
sorry if i blabbed too much or didnt answer correctly but I just had to write this in hopes you see this point of view and good luck!

im_irish_mike
#9. January 18th, 2009, at 5:00 PM.

It’s a little of both. The tendency of someone to get addicted to something is genetic. That’s why you’ll often see people who have a family history of alcoholism turn into one themselves.

I’ve known people who have been able to smoke on and off without ever being addicted to nicotine, which is one of the most addicting drugs in the world. Then again, I know others that have been hooked after only a few cigarettes.

The part that makes drug addiction a choice is what you mentioned, it is that person’s choice to put it into their system. Most people don’t do drugs with the intention of getting hooked, but I would suggest people with an addictive personality to do them less often, if at all.

xXx_lostNlife_xXx
#10. January 19th, 2009, at 1:48 PM.

i’ld say niether, sure u chose to do the drug, but u dont plan on being addicted to it
and its not a disease cause there’s not really any viruses invaulved

deathtoariel
#11. January 22nd, 2009, at 3:35 PM.

The initial act to put the drug in your body is a choice. However, what the drug does to your body is all neurological. Most addictive substances change the amount of neuro transmitters released- many dopamine the neuro transmitter that makes us feel good. So when the drug is taken and the person feels the euphoria from it not only do they feel better but they are left wanting to feel that euphoric state more- not necessarily by choice but because their brain has been robbed of dopamine and can no longer produce the amount needed to have a sense of feeling well-creating a viscous cycle of addiction.
Does motivation play a role?
Absolutely, it all depends on the person’s desire and determination to quit whatever they are doing. But it takes time and patience for their body to stabilize to create the proper amount of dopamine.
It’s more than just chemicals or choice, conditions have to be right too. They have to have a support network, some one to encourage them to seek sobriety and help them gain a routine and safe haven.

Country girl
#12. January 23rd, 2009, at 10:39 PM.

Anyone who is over the age of 9 or 10 is aware of the dangers of using drugs. It is a choice made by each person whether to give in to peer pressure and join the party or decline and stay mentally and physically healthy.

equal_opposites
#13. January 26th, 2009, at 10:16 PM.

Some studies are finally recognizing that people who have addictive personalities and do drugs are self-medicating. There is a biological craving or need and self-medicating brings about a different feeling and a different physical reaction than it does with people who do not have addictive personalities.

Starting to do the drugs is a choice; becoming addicted is not.

cgflann
#14. January 30th, 2009, at 5:34 AM.

It is a disease or disorder because while people often make a bad choice to start it off, they often attempt to stop after that when they see that it is getting out of control and are often unable to.

nickson faction
#15. January 30th, 2009, at 8:19 AM.

runs in the family tree