Drug Addiction Definition: Alcoholism and Drug Addiction – a Disease or Not?

Alcoholism and drug addiction are two maladies that have severely afflicted scores of people across the globe. Now, whether these two should be categorized under diseases like cancer or heart disease is a debate that seems to rage on and create great controversy.

The medical community today generally seem to support the view that addictions should be classified as a disease, as they meet the criteria that are necessary to term it as such. These criteria are:

1. Primary
2. Progressive
3. Chronic
4. Fatal

Alcoholism and drug addiction definitely satisfy all the above mentioned criteria, and that is the basic reason why rehabilitation programs and recovery support groups like AA and NA support this viewpoint.

But those that oppose this point of view feel that addictions should not be categorized in the same way as diseases like cancer – because using drugs or alcohol is a matter of choice, and so should an addiction arise it is effectively self-induced – whereas cancer and other diseases afflict the person without awareness and the same level of choice involved. So by categorizing alcoholism and drug addictions as diseases, they feel it makes it too easy for those struggling with an addiction to shirk taking any kind of responsibility for their state and actions.

However, should it even matter what belief you hold on the subject? Whether or not addiction is classified as a disease, in both cases the addict has to undergo the same process in order to successfully achieve lasting sobriety, i.e. receive the right support or help, get appropriate treatment and follow a proven recovery program. Everything else becomes immaterial provided the rehabilitative process is diligently followed.

I have asked a number of people their views on the matter and opinions remain divided. One person felt that the drug addict has the ability to overcome his affliction with the help of various groups and making use of his grit and determination. But said, that is not the case in fatal diseases like cancer because even if you go in for a specialized treatment, in many cases, you cannot avoid death despite going through the painful chemotherapies and specialized treatments. So concluded unlike in the case of addiction, self-control or self-will does not have any role to play and whether a person will regain full health always remains a question.

Another person, a recovering alcoholic in fact, said that the reason addiction is classified under disease is because it facilitates the insurance carriers to cover all the treatment costs that one incurs while getting treated. The insurance companies will definitely not pay for treating something like a weakness of character. Once it is categorized as a disease, an alcoholic will be saved from self-blame and need not suffer from self loathing. He/She can easily place the cause of excessive and obsessive drinking on an illness rather than blaming themselves.

Another person I spoke to, a former alcoholic, shared his insightful perspective by saying that he feels it is definitely dis-ease…lack of ease and peace. Once you face the problem, work through the 12 steps, address all the nutritional and chemical imbalances that have taken toll over your body and connect to the spiritual path, alcohol will cease to have any control or power over you. When you quit looking at it as a disease that had control over you, and focus in totality only on getting healthy in mind, body and spirit, true healing and peace will set in.

So if even among those of us who have suffered from addiction opinions are divided as to whether it’s a disease or not, my assertion remains, ‘Should it really matter?’ The important thing is to find effective ways to get those who need it, the help they so desperately need.

The Best Drugs !!! to kill … – Drug addiction is widely considered a pathological state. The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute drug use to the development of drug-seeking behavior, the vulnerability to relapse, and the decreased, slowed ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) has categorized three stages of addiction: preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect. These stages are characterized, respectively, everywhere by constant cravings and preoccupation with obtaining the substance; using more of the substance than necessary to experience the intoxicating effects; and experiencing tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and decreased motivation for normal life activities.[2] By the American Society of Addiction Medicine definition, drug addiction differs from drug dependence and drug tolerance.[3] It is, both among scientists and other writers, quite usual to allow the concept of drug addiction to include persons who are not drug abusers according to the definition of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. The term drug addiction is then used as a category which may include the same persons who under the DSM-IV can be given the diagnosis of substance dependence or substance abuse. (See also DSM-IV Codes)

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Definition of Drug Addiction http://t.co/3BrkPNLD – by depression59 (Depression)