Is drug & alcohol addiction legally considered a medical and/or a mental disease?

Answer 1

The DSM-IV is used by most, if not all, courts for determining mental disease, defect, or disorders. Doctors, usually assigned in a 3 panel, will diagnose a person using the DSM-IV codes and definitions and supply the diagnoses to the court.

Drug and alcohol abuse are included in the DSM-IV as types of substance abuse. Additionally, several mental disorders can be exacerbated by drug or alcohol abuse, which the DSM-IV also notes. So drug and alcohol abuse is considered a mental disorder under the law.

As far as whether drug or alcohol abuse can be used as a defense or a justification in criminal case, it generally cannot. Under the common law, voluntary intoxication, whether by drugs or by alcohol is not a defense to any crime, unless the state of intoxication is so great that it negates the mental state required to commit the charged offense.

Here's a link to a site about the DSM-IV that I found when I typed it into Yahoo. http://psyweb.com/Mdisord/DSM_IV/jsp/dsm_iv.jsp

Answer 2

Yes, by all means Alcohol Addiction is a Disease. Drugs also is an addiction that is screaming out for help. Alcohol is a serious problem in our country, and it is taken extremely lightly. So many young people are addicted to drugs and Alcohol in High School. As a retired High School teacher I have known young peoples life's destroyed by these drugs, (Yes, alcohol is a drug). I have known some that have committed suicide, died by alcohol poison, killed by drunk drivers, drinking and taking drugs and killing them selves and others, destroying families, and I can go on and on. If you or any love one is addicted to drugs or alcohol seek counseling. There are groups like AA for Alcohol and Alonon. Family support is important! What these people need to know that you love them no matter what. Say it over and over a hundred times a day if necessary. My heart goes out to anyone who has this problem and especially to the mothers who see their children die a slow death.

Answer 3

Most Psychiatrists would probably tell you that getting yourself addicted to drugs or alcohol would be a symptom of a mental disorder, and that would be medical.

Answer 4

It is considered a form of mental illness.

Addictions tend to only be considered medical when medical intervention is needed. If an alcoholic has the shakes while in jail, they will be put on pills to stabilize their condition.

Answer 5

All i will think of of is that old Sixties music by using Loretta Lynn - do no longer come homestead a-drinkin' with lovin' on your concepts. BQ - I artwork with a guy in his 50s who has become painfully hooked on information superhighway porn. he's in that section the place he hates what he does yet that compulsion to act out is overpowering. he's married and has a candy, first rate relationship along with his spouse....an fairly superb woman...yet they have drifted aside. He looks like they are brother and sister rather of a husband and spouse. The shame and confusion grew to become too lots for him until the fateful Saturday afternoon I took him fishing and he thoroughly unfolded. "How am i able to destroy a 40-5-years-old habit?" habit can on the instant become a painfully lonely ingredient in a man or woman's existence. The habit makes them sense as though no person is conscious their war. it may even lead its sufferer to melancholy and pitch him over the side.

Answer 6

Yes they are. Some people are even able to receive SS/Disability payments because of addictions and/or mental illness.

Answer 7

I would consider it more of a mental disease. That's why you need counseling to try to get over it.

Answer 8

that would be why people get out of jailtime and fines for it.