Or is this just an excuse for bad choices? Or are we trying to legalize and give credibility to social problems?
If nicotine addiction is the hardest one to overcome, why isn't it treated more seriously?
2006-07-07 23:05:44 · 9 answers · asked by lily 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Yes and no. Genes make people predisposed to get cancer and lots of other things we consider diseases. Just like they do with these "real" diseases genes can act in ways that we don't really know about yet to make certain people more prone to addictive behaviors. Also we know some of these substances are physically addictive, so once a person makes one wrong decision they are thrown on a bad course. We should try and give them a chance to recover and change their life for the better. However at a certain point there needs to be a limit.
I don't think nicotine is the hardest one to overcome, but it definitely is a hard one. It isn't treated more seriously because it isn't as much of a risk as the hard drugs and compared to alcohol a person smoking generally won't smoke and drive and kill someone. The other reason it isn't treated more seriously is because it is still legal to smoke and the cigarette companies have lots of money keeping it so.
2006-07-07 23:29:29 · answer #1 · answered by Trish J 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My opinion is that they are diseases.
However, there are two predominate theories: physical dependence vs positive incentive.
How long will it take the US to treat victims of addiction appropriately as they have elsewhere? How many more must suffer and die unneccessarily?
My opinion is that part of the problem is economics. How much income would people lose if nicotine was not abused?
However, 70% of people experimenting with nicotine become addicted. (10% for alcohol and 30% for heroin). Studies estimated 65% of nicotine addicts inherited their susceptibility. Only 20% are successful at smoking cessation for two or more years.
If properly addressed, our crime rate could be lowered and our children would be at less risk to be enticed into a living hell. However, I predict this won't happen as soon as I would like. People would have to be educated, open to new ideas/change, etc.
2006-07-08 09:12:44 · answer #2 · answered by TDM's mom 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are as much diseases as any psychological disease can be called that. Nicotine addiction is tough, but it isn't treated more seriously because it does not pose an immediate threat to your life. Yes, cigarettes could cause cancer... but they are legal and you choose to consume them, at that point the addiction is a moot point. Someone who is determined to quit can quit, and there are plenty of mechanisms in place to help. Of course, as far as I know, there is no such thing as a 12-step program for cigarette quitters... they tend not to ruin your life or the lives of those around you, until you do finally get cancer.
2006-07-07 23:11:32 · answer #3 · answered by smokingun 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The propensity for the condition is inherited, at least in alcoholism. That makes it if not a disease a threat to health. I have seen it first hand in my family. My dad was a recovering alcoholic. He got mean when he drank. One brother has this reaction as well as does his son. For the rest of us it is not a problem. Without treatment and or intervention this condition causes a great deal of pain and suffering for all involved. PS How could anyone Tdown Sally? You rock lady!
2016-03-15 21:30:01 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither are a disease, you do not choose to have a disease. Infection and addiction are two very different things. The excuse is you have made bad choices which have consequently made you ill so you need to give it a name or call it a disease so drug companies can invent a new drug that you need to buy... restless leg syndrome?
2006-07-07 23:23:15 · answer #5 · answered by gahan 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Alcoholism and drug addiction are not deseases but only habits that are bad. Intaking wines and unregulated drugs cause the person to like it until such time that they can no longer rid of rid. These habits are not curable but can only be controlled and prevented. There is no treat to nicotine but smoking can be stopped.
2006-07-07 23:13:01 · answer #6 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It start as bad choice , but yes,as far you go it really becomes disease and about nicotine addiction,yup i wonder the same,why is not treated more seriously :-)
2006-07-07 23:11:52 · answer #7 · answered by boby b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both diseases and sins.
2006-07-08 04:51:57 · answer #8 · answered by helper 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are inherited and curable. So they are diseases
2006-07-07 23:23:59 · answer #9 · answered by J.SWAMY I ఇ జ స్వామి 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋