Why is addiction classified as a disease?

Question

I want to see the answers. I will the best answer when I see it.

Here is the definition of disease:
a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms.
Also, can we address the issue of "loss of control" here.

Answer 1

Not all doctors agree on what addiction or dependency is, because traditionally, addiction has been defined as being possible only to a psychoactive substance (for example alcohol, tobacco, or drugs), which is ingested, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and alters the natural chemical behavior of the brain temporarily. Many people, both psychology professionals and laypersons, now feel that there should be accommodation made to include psychological dependency on such things as gambling, food, sex, pornography, computers, work, exercise, cutting, and shopping / spending. However, these are things or tasks which, when used or performed, cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and hence, do not fit into the traditional view of addiction. Symptoms mimicking withdrawal may occur with abatement of such behaviors; however, it is said by those who adhere to a traditionalist view that these withdrawal-like symptoms are not strictly reflective of an addiction, but rather of a behavioral disorder. In spite of traditionalist protests and warnings that overextension of definitions may cause the wrong treatment to be used (thus failing the person with the behavioral problem), popular media, and some members of the field, do represent the aforementioned behavioral examples as addictions.

In the contemporary view, the trend is to acknowledge the possibility that the hypothalmus creates peptides in the brain that equal and/or exceed the effect of externally applied chemicals (alcohol, nicotine etc.) when addictive activities take place. For example, when an addicted gambler or shopper is satisfying their craving, chemicals called endorphins are produced and released within the brain, reinforcing the individual's positive associations with their behavior.

Despite the popularity of defining addiction in medical terms, recently many have proposed defining addiction in terms of Economics, such as calculating the elasticity of addictive goods and determining, to what extent, present income and consumption (economics) has on future consumption.

The disease model of addiction holds that addiction is a disease, coming about as a result of either the impairment of neurochemical or behavioral processes, or of some combination of the two. Within this model, addictive disease is treated by specialists in Addiction Medicine. Within the field of medicine, the American Medical Association, National Association of Social Workers, and American Psychological Association all have policy as to addictive processes representing a disease state. While there is some dispute among clinicians as to the reliability of this model, it is widely employed in therapeutic settings. Most treatment approaches involve recognition that dependencies are behavioral dysfunctions, and thus involve some element of physical or mental disease. Critics like Stanton Peele describe an absence of medical evidence for an implied physiological process (beyond that of simple mood state changes) that can be equated with the disease of addiction. Organizations such as the American Society of Addiction Medicine believe the research-based evidence for addiction's status as a disease is overwhelming.

The genetic model posits a genetic predisposition to certain behaviors. It is frequently noted that certain addictions "run in the family," and while researchers continue to explore the extent of genetic influence, there is strong evidence that genetic predisposition is often a factor in dependency. Researchers have had difficulty assessing differences, however, between social causes of dependency learned in family settings and genetic factors related to heredity.

The cultural model recognizes that the influence of culture is a strong determinant of whether or not individuals fall prey to certain addictions. For example, alcoholism is rare among Saudi Arabians, where obtaining alcohol is difficult and using alcohol is prohibited. In North America, on the other hand, the incidence of gambling addictions soared in the last two decades of the 20th century, mirroring the growth of the gaming industry. Half of all patients diagnosed as alcoholic are born into families where alcohol is used heavily, suggesting that familiar influence, genetic factors, or more likely both, play a role in the development of addiction. What also needs to be noted is that when people don't gain a sense of moderation through their development they can be just as likely, if not more, to abuse substances than people born into alcoholic families.

A blended model attempts to consider elements of all other models in developing a therapeutic approach to dependency. It holds that the mechanism of dependency is different for different individuals, and that each case must be considered on its own merits.

Answer 2

The definition for disease is an abnormal functioning, an impairment of health. An addiction is basically that, yet only we can ignite it. Most people have the outlook that "I'll try it a few times, I won't get addicted.." YEAH RIGHT. Think again. Addictions are not fully mental. They can be physical and emotional. I have met many heroin addicts that say they do the drug everyday because they are afraid of the withdrawal symptoms they'll recieve if they stop. I've heard the symptoms are worse than being pregnant. I understand how it would be classified as a disease; however, I partially disagree. Diseases usually occur because of genetic disorder or maybe you catch a disease without knowing it. With addiction, only you can begin it. Taking that ..firsssssst try.. can be all that it takes. However, besides the begining of it all, I can see how it can turn into a disease, but I wouldn't classify it as one.

Hope this helps =]

Answer 3

America's refusal to enforce personal responsibility. Same with obesity being considered a disability in many cases. EDIT: It's a CHOICE, not a disease. I would never, EVER claim that getting over an addiction is easy, but *you* make the *choice* to pick up that pipe, bottle, etc. Claiming that addiction is a disease is an insult to every person who has ever had a disease. I can't quit smoking, I'm addicted. I can't stop drinking Dr Pepper either. I'm at two packs a day, and five two liter bottles. It's still a choice and I would never try to avoid responsibility by saying it's a disease.

Answer 4

I have experience with this one. I am a married 30 year old woman who used drugs for over nine years. When I first found a program and learned that I have a disease, I had doubts. I thought I just really liked to get high. After much research and over 16 months of abstinance from drugs and alcohol, I have no doubts.

First, the word "Disease" can be broken down to Dis-ease. After the pain of withdrawls, a hangover or not being able to get another fix, one may realize that dis-ease, or not being at ease is a great word for it.

Second, my husband has a Chronic illness called crohn's disease. It is a painful physical condition of the digestive system. No matter how much he screams or attempts to explain his pain to me, I cannot understand because I have never felt that kind of pain. He went to a meeting with me and shared that he does not understand the disease of addiction. That it is like "...attempting to explain what music sounds like to someone who has been deaf from birth."

Third, research has shown that once an addict puts drugs or alcohol into their body, it changes their brain. The disease of addiction is an illness of the body, mind, and spirit. This is part of the reason it is hard for anyone but an addict to understand. It is an illness of the body because it changes our brain. Some drugs including alcohol can kill a person if use is stopped abruptly. It is an illness of the mind because we are obsessed with our drug(s) as long as we use it and for months or years after we stop. It is an illness of the spirit because we were filling a spiritual void in ourselves with a false sence of peace and well-being. Once we get clean from our drug(s) we usually begin searching for something to fill the void. This could continue our disease through unhelthy behaviors such as shopping, relationships, gambling, sex, eating disorders, etc. Some people find that filling the spiritual void is a process, not an event. It happens over time, not overnight. Eventually the disease of addiction can be arrested, or go into remission. Usually after years of abstinance an addict in recovery has a spiritual awakening and thier obsession to use drugs fades away.

Answer 5

Since the introduction of the disease concept model research studies have examined a possible genetic link in alcoholism/addiction. One such study demonstrates that the offspring of alcoholics are approximately three to five times more likely to develop alcoholism than offspring of non-alcoholics .

The disease model has been so profitable and politically successful that it has spread to include problems of eating, child abuse, gambling, shopping, premenstrual tension, compulsive love affairs, and almost every other form of self-destructive behavior... From this perspective, nearly every American can be said to have a disease of addiction.

Answer 6

Addictions are classified as diseases because they can hurt/kill the person and supposivly the person can't help it. Personally I think that that is a load of crap. It might be hard, but if someone has enough will power and wants to quit and additicion they can. I know people that have quit smoking crank cold turkey after smoking it nearly every day for nearly five years! Don't tell me everyone can't do that. It's completly metal.

Answer 7

It is a disease of the mind because it over-rides all rational thinking. An anything that we obsessively compulsively do or think about that has life damaging consequences, can be considered, an addiction. It pertains to eating, spending of money, sex, drugs, gambling, or anything that vises us from doing what would ususally be a "normal" life. Even though normal exists only in context not in reality.

Answer 8

Because it gives the addicted person an excuse. They now do not have to take responsibly for their condition. They are now a victim of circumstance; they have caught a disease.

Answer 9

Liberalism...

An addiction is a mental disorder, not a disease.

Answer 10

nicer word for it perhaps....
to me, an addiction is an addiction....whether it be to drugs, obsession, over eating its all an addiction....
today compared to years ago, are newer and some what nicer names to call things, BUT, the bottom line is, it is still an addiction...
perhaps if society stops making nicer words to describe something, and take all that energy into helping people with addictions, the world be a nice place...