why do people say......?

Question

that alcholism/drug addiction/gambling is a disease? its not you cant catch any of them from standing next to a junkie or drunk its just absurd i think they are weak willed people with nothing better to do so if you can enlighten me and change my stance on this id like to hear it

Answer 1

I dont think it is, but it is in you r genes to have an addictive personality.

Answer 2

If you truly wish to be enlightened, begin by looking up the definition to the word "disease" in the Webster Dictionary. One offered meaning is this: a particular destructive process in the body, with a specific cause and characteristic symptoms; specific illness; ailment; malady. Also: an evil or destructive tendency or state of affairs. With the definition having been clarified, I think it is apparent why drug addiction or alcoholism is referred to as a disease. In the most technical sense of the word, they truly are destructive tendencies. "They" are weak people in the sense that they have addictive personalities. and are prone to habitual habits, such as the use of drugs or consumption of alcohol. It is a condition that you or I either one could just as easily suffer from given the right set of circumstances. If you seek true enlightenment, then might I suggest you offer your fellow man a modicum more of understanding and compassion? It is very easy to stand in judgement of others, especially in matters we do not truly understand; It's quite another to actually roll your sleeves up and become personally involved by lending a kind, helping hand. I don't think it's "absurd" for someone to recognize their own faults and struggle to correct them, as an addict might do through rehab or counseling. What I find absurd and unacceptable are people who are obviously blind to their own indifference and lack of empathy. I'm not a very religious person, which may apall some who read this. However, one verse keeps coming to mind as I reply to this question: Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Enough said.

Answer 3

It has a lot (not 100%) to do with genetics. One can inherit a predisposition toward addictive tendencies. One can also grow up in an environment where addiction is the norm.

Compare to domestic abuse (just for an example). A boy raised in a family where his father beats his mother is likely to do the same as an adult. Does he know the behavior is wrong? Most likely. Does he have a choice? Absolutely. But it is very difficult to break free from what one has learned throughout childhood.

It's easy to stand back and say that one has a choice and can choose not to become addicted. But it's not so simple as that. Nothing is really all that simple.

Answer 4

Gambling is not a disease by an addicting , I disease can be caught but with gambling addiction it is a habit that becomes hard to break . You find yourself or person you love willing to do anything to get money to satisfy their need or greed in gambling . This is hazardous to life and often the possession that are gained before the addiction are lost if the proper help is not sought

Answer 5

AIDS can't be caught by standing next to a person who has the disease, but if a person chooses not to use the necessary precautions such as; unprotected sex, using a dirty needle, handling another person who is bleeding without gloves, among other things, the person can become infected.
Overindulgence with alcohol, drugs and gambling can lead to an addiction/disease.

Answer 6

because all the good acronyms were taken?

seriously though, as an ex heroin addict, you would have to understand the mental debilitation that is attached to the drug in question.. its like the brain is rewired while on drugs and the mind set is as much as the continual desire to feel that feeling the drug brings you becomes more important than life its self. any of the 7 deadly sins can perpetuate the desire even more

The real problem is the approach the medical profession takes on the problem. I wont go into all the details cause they are many, from treating druggies like criminals to prescribing medication to treat the illness. The mind is programmable and reprogrammable. Arm the mind with tools to protect itself and the body will follow. addicts are emotionally sensitive, and need to learn to defend themselves from themselves. we are our own worst enemy and blah blah blah blah....

this stuff goes on forever.. bottom line: addiction is a disease, not a birth disease, but a developed disease like emphysema.

a disease is nothing more than that.. a dis-ease with self that is debilitating and needs to be addressed

Answer 7

haha. it's been used a lot and it has been used for a long time. i guess they say its a disease because when people get hooked on them it can damage your life--health, relationships, finances, mental health yadda yadda yadda..just like a disease can plus coz its easy to catch but hard to get rid of?it can only become a "disease"(people who can't relate call it a disease) when the person continues to partake in harmful activities despite the loss of health, money, family, jobs and friends. a disease is something you may not know you have and it comes on involuntarily, and the bearer does not have a choice to carry it, what you were describing above was substance use, addiction to drugs and addiction to gambling clearly NOT a DISEASE. i smoke though but so far it has only affected my health. when i was younger my dad didn't want me to smoke and he often got pissed at me plus since i was only a student i was buying cigs with my allowance not leaving me enough cash for food and other allowance stuff. i hope my example was relative to my answer...haha...nice observation too about why these addictions or vices are called a disease...

Answer 8

They are addictive and some people have addictive personalities and become dependent on them...I think gambling is a slight stretch but the others are drugs that change you.

Check out www.webmd.com or medical articles that might give you more info on exactly why they do to a person that classifies them as diseases. There are certain criteria that must be met to be classified as a disease.

Answer 9

You are correct to a certain degree, you can-not it catch like a
cold or virus. These are people who have a weakness, and find
their New addiction as a form of escape from reality. Addiction
to any of these is more like a "Quick-fix mental illness" rather
than a disease. Sad part is when most of these people get
caught up in their viscious cycle's they cannot break free. They
simply spiral downward in an out of control behavior. Most are
destined to hit Rock bottom unless they seek professional help.

Answer 10

Cancer is a disease, but you can't catch that standing next to someone either.
I think it's absurd that you think you are better then someone when you have never walked in their shoes. I have a feeling you're probably not as perfect as you would like to believe.

Answer 11

You wouldn't catch cancer from standing next to someone who was enduring chemotherapy either but it doesn't make it any less of a disease.
If you think that an alcoholic or a drug user is weak willed, you ought to walk a mile in their shoes my friend. Life can be what you make it but when the cards are stacked against you sometimes the "easy option" is the only way to find some relief from the suffering...