Addiction or Disease….
Those that fight addiction and fight to overcome it say it’s a disease.
Is it?
And is it fair to say that when others have “true diseases”. Let me explain.
Most diseases are not curable. Some can be maintained through treatment…but never cured. You will always have it and have to learn to live with it and deal.
There is help for the addicted, and a cure from their addiction. Of course one can argue that even after sober, they still must go through treatment to maintain. Many addicts say that while they’re sober, they will never fully be cured, and will need life long treatment and support. So then is it a disease.
People with medical diseases however did not do anything or choose to have they’re life turn out that way. And some lives are even shorten by it, so is it really fair to compare?
Addiction is serious yes. But some where along the line there was a choice and there is help and a “cure”.
But for those with Cancer, Aids, and even MS, there is not…Hope but no cure.
Is it?
And is it fair to say that when others have “true diseases”. Let me explain.
Most diseases are not curable. Some can be maintained through treatment…but never cured. You will always have it and have to learn to live with it and deal.
There is help for the addicted, and a cure from their addiction. Of course one can argue that even after sober, they still must go through treatment to maintain. Many addicts say that while they’re sober, they will never fully be cured, and will need life long treatment and support. So then is it a disease.
People with medical diseases however did not do anything or choose to have they’re life turn out that way. And some lives are even shorten by it, so is it really fair to compare?
Addiction is serious yes. But some where along the line there was a choice and there is help and a “cure”.
But for those with Cancer, Aids, and even MS, there is not…Hope but no cure.
posted by Kate Michele at 4:07 PM
20 Comments:
Interesting. What prompted this?
So-called "diseases" like alcoholism are self-inflicted. True, some are pre-disposed to addictive behavior, but alcohol is a choice. They could just as easily be addicted to chocolate cake.
As Mitch Hedberg said, "Alcoholism is the only disease you can get yelled at for having...'Dammit Mitch, you're an alcoholic! ... Dammit Mitch, you have lupis!"
alcoholism, overeating, drugs, etc. in and of themselves are not a disease. They are symptoms of an underlying problem. Maybe like chronic itching is a symptom of an underlying skin condition.
I know my condition and I am extremely vigilant for the signs and symptoms in my daughter. At first indication that she inherited my addictive behavior, I need to get her focused on some sort of positive outlet.
But no, I never asked for this, and would change if I could. If I give up one behavior, I would have to find another to substitute, no exceptions, no escape. But it beats cancer and is easier to manage :-> I wouldn't trade.
Actually I heard a comedian joking about this subject a few weeks ago, and couldn’t stop thinking about it. Ever since I was 15 I’ve gotten the impression from some people that I in some way could control what I have and if I have it. I can’t and it’s taken many many years to come to that realization.
But then I thought, but those who are addicted though they chose to do the drug or the drinking, did they chose to become what it did? Then at what point is it a disease…if ever? And is it fair to call it that? Does it down play those who had no choice what so ever in what they were dealt?
Anthony: I like that quote..who is he? (and if this makes me in some way out of it cause I don;t know, shhh..don't make fun!)
Mike: I like that you are so aware of it and watch out for it in your daughter...that touched me and got me thinking....
BTW saw Mitch Hedberg in Austin once. His humor is not for everyone, but if it is for you -- then he is Effin Hilarious.
Blogging is an addiction.
I wonder what the cure is for that?
Calling an addiction a disease bothers me, too. The psychological issues presenting themselves in the addiction may be disease-like in some ways, but it is as if, in our desire to have addicts seek help, we give them an "excuse." ...
Very interesting... and I have enjoyed reading your blog this morning.
Good Post!
No worries on the cragslist email. I do what I can.
Oh and look in my archives, March 20th. I wrote a piece on my own issue with addiction. Might give you some insight.
-buzz
Hmmmm, I just can't seem to let this go.
You are spot on concerning the addictive traits and that consuming alchohol or other drugs is initially a choice. However, I've been to rehab (discussed in the post I listed above) and have been in contact with people who are true blue no-kidding addicts. Folks who are on the brink of relapse daily. Not becuase they crave the taste or crave the high, but because their body is telling them that they need it and they don't have the psychological wiring to say "no". I challenge anybody to sit with someone who is going through DT's (withdrawls) and claim that it's the afflicted person's choice to be that way and they can "get over it" without outside assistance. At that juncture, in my mind, it's a disease.
Initially, it's not a disease in the physical sense, but underlying psychological disorders along with an addictive pre-disposition in my mind is indeed a disease. Let's look at depression, for example. Purely mental, but with physical symptoms. Did that person "choose" to be depressed? Did he or she suffer an event then "choose" to be bummed out about it? No. And what do you know, depression is a diagnosis, and a disease.
It's easy to look at physical diseases in that light becuase there is something outwardly wrong with the individual, and in some cases easier to handle or cope with. An affliction like depression or alcoholism is one of those diseases you can't see, one that sneaks up on you and grabs your entire life by the short hairs often without any warning or any true method to fight it.
So, in short, I have to say that I firmly, with no doubt in my mind, believe strongly that addiction is indeed a disease.
-buzz
You bring up some VERY good points. Especially when you look at those of us that can drink a few and let it go or have the mind power like yourself to "just walk away" and realize you don't need it. So why are some like that and why do others fall into an addiction? In this thinking it is like depression and in that since a disease.
If we all knew that we'd become addicts and have to suffer through the withdraw period, would we of ever had a drink?? What is social for many is dangerous for some, so maybe it is a disease some are wired to have. We have all had a drink so we all chose to drink, they I'm sure started out with a drink at a party having no idea what it would turn into for them.
Though do you think that in most cases there are other issues that need to be dealt with and the alchol is just a release?
Sorry, another long one....
It all has to be dealt with together, and can be extremely intimidating for those afflicted.
When you go to counseling, a lot of attention is placed on the question "why do you drink/use drugs?"
"Because no one loves me"
"Becuase it's fun"
"Because I'm depressed"
"Because I'm fat"
"Because I was abused"
"Because I'm abusive"
"Because I can't sleep without it"
"Because my dad did"
"Because she left me"
"Because she cheated on me"
"Because I cheated on her"
"Because my baby is sick"
On and on...
All of that stuff needs to be addressed along with providing the patient with coping tools/mechanisms/mantras to get them through their day and to still stay away from their addiction. The riskiest patients are admitted to a facility and observed 24/7. The drug, whatever it is, needs to be dealt with just as strongly as these other issues. Once you take away a patients coping mechanism they tend to freak the fuck out until time allows the symptoms to subside.
I mean, what is your "release?" Coffee? Blogging? Internet? Food? Playing with your kids? TV? Imagine your "release" being taken away from you yet you still have the exact same stressors in your everyday life yet you aren't allowed to cope the same way. You see other people doing it, you see commercials on TV, everybody else gets to do it, but you aren't allowed. It's a heavy, scary thing, and needs to be handled tenderly.
-buzz
The first year Chad and I were married, the doctors had me "wean" Of my medications... Oy the physical ramafactions!! Most couldn't handel me...shows how strong my man is..he was great!
So I can only imagine coming off of something even more addicting and strong....no fun.
Blogging and writting are my releases.... I was told by people who were hate-n' that I should just get a 5$ journal at Walmart... But no, I need this its been a great release and I like talking to everyone... like yourself and hearing they're take on subjects.
So know I don't think I'd do well if that were taken from me...I would probably have to go back on my meds!! Hmmmmm, this should be part of the treatment plans...lol...
KimmyK: yes yes it is!! Maybe we should start a support blog...LOL....
How addiction translated into stem cell research I'll never know.
Talk about your off topic agendas...
-buzz
Wow.....I have been asleep I guess and didn't see this.
I've had addictions that were almost impossible to quit...Almost that is until you almost die and then you realize you honestly can do without. It's a very scary sobering reality.
Seeing a person go through a disease for which there is no cure, watching them struggle and become a different being, watching their life be stripped before your eyes without any choice at all...that is a terrifying reality too. I'll never recover from watching that happen with my mother but it has changed my addictions and habits allot.
If i find i'm dependant of something, I try to take it away cold turkey and see how i respond. Most of the time...I find that the the first week sucks but beyond that...you can be free if you're determined enough.( course, this only applies to addictions)
Life is one tough MF'er...but we are often stronger than we think.
Kate...great post...:)
I like to think that a disease is something that you have no choice or control over, but that’s just me.
Kate: Mitch was a brilliant mind who, unfortunately left us a little while ago.
Do a Mitch Hedberg search on YouTube and you'll see plenty of his stuff.
Also a Comedy Central special on DVD and 2 CDs - available on AMAZON!
Well there goes my mood for ice cream.
I've never or seen anybody close to me slowly die over the years, some came close but luckily they survived. I could never forget that lasting image. My grandparents are getting up in age and over the years I see them less and less only because I just don't want to see them weak and vulnerable.
YSB: I'm with you, its hard. I watched both of my grandpas go through cancer and pass away. Now I'm watching my grandma fight dimensia...she isn't herself anymore, like I already lost her.
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