Does anyone comprehend the fact that addicion and alcoholism are both DISEASES, not moral issues?

Question

it is a fact, go educate yourself before passing judgement.

Answer 1

Not too many do, a lot of people know I'm in recovery and they ask me stupid questions like "well, don't you think you'd be able to see what you were doing to yourself and just stop?"
Which I guess, explains why most of them are enablers from hell

Answer 2

Yes, I do comprehend that. The same thing is with eating disorders, they are diseases, not moral issues too. Though I believe issues is what causes the diseases of addiction and alcoholism etc. Also these types are things are different kinds of diseases, they are not the same as the flu, a cold, or something like cancer. Addiction is a disease that you inflict upon yourself, but just because they aren't caused by bacteria, bad cells, or viruses, doesn't make them any less of a disease.

Why the thumbs down?

Answer 3

Diseases they may become but they are self inflicted. You might be at a higher risk due to genetics but it is still self inflicted. No one has ever forced me to drink, I made my choices. My ability to cope with those choices might be some what compromised because my father and uncles were drunks but I still made the choice to drink. Judgment should come from with in. I don't really care what someone does with their life so long as they do not interfere with my life. And quite truthfully I find a religious or moral zealot just as annoying and even more damaging to my world than most drunks.

To the thumbs down clown, pucker up and kiss my rump, if you have an issue get some balls and e-mail me you wimp.

Answer 4

I agree, and I hear you. But...

It's the same sort of deal with mental illness and/or psychiatric issues really. Lots of people not only are in denial about their being diseases of *the Mind* but are *paid quite well* to stay in denial. Think about it....just who are these people anyway? Employers, middle managers, beancounters (ruling a budget with an iron fist inside *an iron fist*), human resources people (for those companies where middle managers aren't *allowed* to hire and fire), and HMOs mainly.

In short, they are the people the *money people* hire to keep the rest of us "in line" and "in check". They are paid to be in *denial* and to *deny us* anything resembling a civilized nation's package of healthcare and perks on the job (among other things). It's a labor rights issue disguised as a public health issue disguised as a political football by the Media....which is also owned by the same bunch of Rich Guys.

Get the picture? ^_^ It's all really a bunch of CYA (cover-your-...) anyway. The people *most likely* to say addiction, substance abuse and/or mental illness are "flaws of character" or things "people choose to do" are the same ones *most likely* to be as one Answerer already put it, "such good enablers", or "such good accomplices" or "such good abusers". They only say what they say and do what they do to *protect* their own (failure of) conscience.

Much the same thing happens when people criticize Wal-Mart for treating their employees and customers like total *dog crap*. It actually does happen, there *are* three (at least!) major class-action lawsuits going on over this, but...when the topic comes up, the loyal shoppers go into instant denial because they don't want to be seen as "part of the problem". Even though they aren't really, since Wal-Mart has been the 2nd or 3rd richest corporation in the U.S. every year for the past decade-plus.

It's the same thing.

People cover their *sses and deny because it beats admitting wrongdoing and actually *being responsible* for the pain and suffering they cause. It beats admitting to being an enabler, accomplice, or flagrant abuser....and admitting that this is where your own *personal* Profit Margin has been lately.

Meanness....it makes the world go around, at least for the money guys.

But I digress, sorry.

Point is, I hear you and agree with you, it is messed up. People *may* choose to start, but it's hardly an informed choice that occurs at an age *old enough* for consent to actually be relevant in most cases. And once started, *the Mind* gets weaker and less able to weigh decisions *at all*.

Search the site below for the phrases "neurotransmitter dopamine" and "brain chemistry of Addiction":

http://www.sciam.com/

There should be a *recent* article there on the subject, either there or at _Discover_ magazine's own site.

I hope this helps...thanks for your time! ^_^

Answer 5

Of course. I hate it when people act like you could just stop if you really wanted.

But my thing with drug addictions is, if you never tried any in the first place, then you wouldnt have a problem now. Of course, realizing you have a problem, and overcoming it, is just great.

Argh, hardly anyone is understanding this! Disease, meaning more like a mental illness.....not quite, but you get the point. The substance triggers something in some people.
I'm not trying to compare drugs to cancer in any way!

Answer 6

I know, its a diesease but your choices are what brought on the disease. Im a recovering hn addict. I wake up every day still fighting the urge and its been 2 years since i've done it, and i dont think i'll ever get over the mental hold it has on me

Answer 7

Exactly. Promiscuity and Adultery are moral issues. Diseases are a horse of another color.

Answer 8

When that disease leads to abuse to wives and children then it is no longer that! My issue does not pertain to all alcoholics I lived with a alcoholic for 20 years! Who did nothing but yell and scream and pass out on the floor, even outside by his own vehicle, but I stayed thinking he would get help or notice, but the beer was more important he even stated that to me! While Sober before drinking himself into another world. He was drunk the night he tried to put our daughter to bed by her hair and called her the C name which is offensive in my book. I stopped him had I have not been there he would have hurt her the look in his eyes even said so! Does any child deserve to be treated in that mannor? NO they do not! Education yes I received one the hard way the way no one deserves to have done to them or their children......His addiction was his choice and for most alcoholics they realize they need help and get it! Even overcome it and they should be praised! But sadly to this day he remains the same even though he is gone.

Answer 9

Yes, but it is also a choice. How hard as this may sound, they made the initial choice and decision to first do those things, nobody focused it upon them.

Answer 10

Yes...and thank god they r both treatable diseases.