Is Addiction A Choice Or A Disease Essay

Addiction/alcoholism has always been a debate whether it is a choice or a disease. The combination of both are such a widespread topic throughout the world. Almost 80 percent of individuals suffering from a substance disorder also struggle with an alcohol disorder too. It is so widespread, you can walk up to a crowd of people and ask if they know someone who has an addiction, they will say yes. Addiction/alcoholism is a choice not a disease people choose not to get treatment because it is so widespread, they believe it is not acceptable to get treatment. Addiction is the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. Alcoholism is the continued excessive or compulsive use of alcoholic drinks. Being addicted to either drugs or alcohol, it is still a choice. They are not diseases. People choose what they put in their body and how they control those substances. “...addiction is a habit that grows and perpetuates itself relatively quickly when we repeatedly pursue the same highly attractive goal.”(Lewis) People use substances, such as drugs, for a variety of reasons. It becomes drug abuse when they use illegal drugs or use legal drugs inappropriately. This means if someone repeats the use of drugs to produce pleasure, reduce stress, or avoid reality. Also, it includes using prescription drugs

People who are mentally ill are more likely to abuse drugs drugs or alcohol. In the United States, almost 8.9 million people have a mental health and a substance abuse issue. The SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration) says that, of these people struggling with double disorders, 55.8 percent don’t receive any treatment for either disorder. 7.4 percent get treatment for both