Should Addiction be Considered a Disease?

2358 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Has addiction been studied as a disease essays

This essay will examine how Addiction is defined, and why or if it is recognized as a disease.

Addiction can be defined as a behaviour that creates physical and psychological pleasure. However, this is where the cost to the individual visibly outweighs the benefits. Only psychoactive drugs that affect the brains pleasure zones will resort to dependence of substances. These substances include anything from alcohol and nicotine, to a variety of legal and illegal drugs. Even though there is a large amount of information on substance use for individuals there is not one individual theory that is singled out in regards to addiction.

The definition from the Oxford dictionary describes addiction as a condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with, or involved in something.

Addiction itself can be defined as unmanageable, compulsive and an act that is carried out even when it threatens the individuals health and wellbeing or the potential harmful social consequences it could pose.The word addict carries with it a negative stigma that is born from the perception of society. Perceptions that addicts are uncaring, unreliable and unstable do not necessarily apply to all addicts. There are those addicts who can function and manage their lives in such a way that no one is aware of their addictions.

There is however a benefit of addiction as a disease model. It is seen as a straightforward and basic model to understand. It has slowly taken away any stigma that has been previously connected with substance addiction. It has also helped to encourage substance users to go to self help meetings or take part in addiction treatment programs who may have not previously attended due to the stigma it attracts when using substances with...

... middle of paper ...

...ange their behaviour. Stage five is when the changes made are maintained and the individual is dedicated in making lifestyle changes to allow this to be maintained. Unfortunately individuals will experience lapses and relapses throughout their journey.

In conclusion, it has become apparent that after looking at different theories that the main factor to play a part is biological factors. However, addictive behaviours have to be taken into consideration within a social and cultural factor. Substance users have to be willing to learn, make decisions and learn how to interpret and process information. These factors have to work together with one another to help establish the addictive behaviour present within an individual. To help fully appreciate addiction there has to be a more integrated approach which will take the different processes into consideration.

Show More
Related

  • Addiction In Tracy Freeland

    1276 Words  | 3 Pages

    The term addiction can be interpreted in many ways, concering both illegal and legal substances. Not only can one become addicted to a substance, but also activities like gambling, shoplifting, and sex. Prior to considering addiction, one must first understand what constitutes a substance. Levinthal (2002) describes a drug as a chemical substance that changes the functioning of the body when ingested (4). Although illegal drugs may come to mind when hearing this definition, alcohol and tobacco fit under this criteria as well. For the purpose of this essay, controlled and regulated (licit/legal) substances will be focused upon. Alcohol is a regulated substance that can be thought of as a social drug (Levinthal, 2002, p.192) and arguably tobacco

    Read More

  • The Con-Artist Named Addiction By Sally Satel

    962 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sally Satel, author of “Addiction Doesn’t Discriminate? Wrong,” leads us down a harrowing path of the causes and effects that lead people to addiction. It can be a choice, possibly subconscious, or a condition that leads a person left fighting a lifelong battle they did not intend to sign up for. Mental and emotional health/conditions, personality traits, attitudes, values, behaviors, choices, and perceived rewards are just a few of the supposed causes of becoming an addict.

    Read More

  • Book Review Of Gerald May's Addiction And Grace

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many different definitions in which people provide regarding addiction. May (1988) describes that addiction “is a state of compulsion, obsession, or preoccupation that enslaves a person’s will and desire” (p. 14). Individuals who suffer from addiction provide their time and energy toward other things that are not healthy and safe. The book

    Read More

  • Biopsychosocial Model Essay

    1028 Words  | 3 Pages

    The model of addiction etiology that best describes why people get addicted and how best to help them is biopsychosocial model. The biopsychosocial model, first developed by cardiologist Dr. George Engel, is today widely accepted by the mental health professions. The biopsychosocial model describes addiction as a brain illness that causes personality and social problems. The biopsychosocial model lets us to make solid and accurate differences between substance use, abuse, and dependence. It also allows the signs of addiction to be recognized and structured into progressive stages.

    Read More

  • Addiction: A Desease Or A Choice?

    675 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to a source on the Internet entitled Alcohol and Drug Treatment: The Disease Concept Of Substance Abuse and Addiction, the idea of drugs and alcohol being a disease is a “very controversial and debated topic. ” For the purposes of this essay, I am forced to agree that drug addiction is a choice. People get high and drink because they want to and if they are not careful they can become an addict. The research I found on this particular topic seemed to have the most support and facts to dismiss the idea that addiction is a disease. I also beeivle if there was enough evidence to support the idea of addiction being a disease it would not be such a controversial topic.

    Read More

  • Drug Addiction: A Brain Disease?

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    George F. Koob defines addiction as a compulsion to take a drug without control over the intake and a chronic relapse disorder (1). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association defined "substance dependence" as a syndrome basically equivalent to addiction, and the diagnostic criteria used to describe the symptoms of substance dependence to a large extent define compulsion and loss of control of drug intake (1). Considering drug addiction as a disorder implies that there are some biological factors as well as social factors.

    Read More

  • Is Addiction A Disease Or A Choice Essay

    1474 Words  | 3 Pages

    A disease is what happens in the body as a result of those choices. As has been noted, many people do believe addiction is a sign of weakness. While the first time may be by choice, once the brain has been changed and affected by addiction. Over time the addict loses substantial control over his or her initially voluntary behavior, and it becomes compulsive (Leshner.) In Marc Branch’s “Drug Addiction. Is It a Disease or Is It Based on Choice? A Review of Gene Heyman’s Addiction: A Disorder of Choice” he discusses and explains Gene Heyman’s opinions on rather addiction is a disease or not. Heyman argues that people do not choose to be drug addicts, rather they make choices that lead to their habit of addiction. Heyman however does not believe addiction is an actual disease. Many others argue that addiction is not an actual disease because people can overcome the addiction without help or treatment. On the other hand, in Alan Leshner’s “Addiction Is a Brain Disease” he declares that addiction is an actual disease and explains “using drugs repeatedly over time changes brain structure and function in fundamental and long-lasting ways that can persist long after the individual stops using them”

    Read More

  • Substance Abuse: Compaing the Medical/Disease Model and the Social Model

    1790 Words  | 4 Pages

    Many people dislike the term ‘addiction’ in relation to drugs or other substances, particularly as it infers that a person is powerless over their use of a particular drug or in some circumstances, a number of substances. Whilst others maintain it is this powerlessness that is the foundation of diagnosis and treatment – that treatment is not possible without recognition of addiction itself as the ‘problem’ being addressed. The professional and public perception of addiction is complicated. There are many approaches and models to explain addiction, the role of the addict, and their environment. This essay will compare and contrast two of these approaches, the medical/disease and the social model. Initially this essay will describe the origins of each model, and follow by explaining their respective strengths and weaknesses, and finish with an overview of the key differences between them. This essay will conclude by demonstrating that a holistic approach, and a cross-pollination of these models is the most successful approach to treating addicts. As is the case for all diseases, there are multiple treatment options, and as ever person is different, the results in each individual cannot be predicted.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Addiction: Choice Or Compulsion?

    536 Words  | 2 Pages

    Drug users rationalize that they would be unhappier if they were kept from addictive substance, therefore they increase drug use. Increased drug consumption displays what is labeled as addiction in this theory. A situation is created where high drug use becomes a daily problem. Harmful addictions have two properties: reduced welfare and increased need for the good (Henden, Melberg, & Rogeberg,

    Read More

  • Informative Speech Outline On Addiction

    1008 Words  | 3 Pages

    Main Point: What defines an addiction? According to Psychology Today, “Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance…. or engages in an activity….that can be pleasurable but the continued use/act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, or health.” This can range anywhere from drug use to eating disorders, to gambling, to even texting in today’s generation. Shocking to say the least, especially when most people do not even know they are addicted or are an addict until they realize this definition.

    Read More

  • Drug Addiction as a Disease

    899 Words  | 2 Pages

    Drug abuse and addiction are issues that affect people everywhere. However, these issues are usually treated as criminal activity rather than issues of public health. There is a conflict over whether addiction related to drug abuse is a disease or a choice. Addiction as a choice suggests that drug abusers are completely responsible for their actions, while addiction as a disease suggests that drug abusers need help in order to break their cycle of addiction. There is a lot of evidence that suggests that addiction is a disease, and should be treated rather than punished. Drug addiction is a disease because: some people are more likely to suffer from addiction due to their genes, drug abuse brought on by addictive behavior changes the brain and worsens the addiction, and the environment a person lives in can cause the person to relapse because addiction can so strongly affect a person.

    Read More

  • Definition Essay On Addiction

    722 Words  | 2 Pages

    Addiction is a very strong word that brings along many negative connotations. When we think of an addiction we imagine someone who depends on a certain substance, most likely alcohol to have their needs met. Addiction is defined by the Webster dictionary as, "a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal." Even though our society sees addiction and only applies the word to drug addicts and alcoholics, there is a much wider range of subjects that fall under the umbrella of what an addiction truly is. An addiction is a dependency on any kind of materialistic object that you use on a day to day basis that brings

    Read More

  • Sociological Theories Of Drug Addiction

    1872 Words  | 4 Pages

    The world involving drug addiction is a taboo topic to many. However, drug addiction is a very real topic that occurs worldwide. The widespread use of drugs is not restricted to the United States, with roughly five percent of the world’s population using in the past few months (Mosher & Akins, 2014). Many scientists, doctors, and specialists study addiction and try to find an explanation for why so many become addicted.

    Read More

  • Pavlovian Conditioning And Classical Conditioning

    2264 Words  | 5 Pages

    Addiction is defined simply as a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as drugs) or do something like gambling (Addiction, 2016). Addiction can be crippling and can control all aspects of your life to the point of not being able to function as a productive member of society. Addicts can have a life long struggle, even once sober, or clean, from the addiction.

    Read More

  • Theory of Alcohol Addiction: Case Study

    834 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...the definitions and I found myself being aware of my tone. Each group member was very vocal and had no inhibition in expressing the exact nature of their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In hind sight each group member was very adamant about their position and it was interesting to watch the passion from which they spoke. As I continue to explore and challenge my own ideologies, beliefs systems, and experiences I also give permission to myself to accept ideologies, belief system, and experiences of others. Many people have tried to account for why people use especially why they continue despite negative consequences. I believe even though people have different beliefs there are many factors that contribute to substance use no one set factor can account for all types of use. The five models are a guide of exploration for the client as well as the clinician.

    Read More

More about Should Addiction be Considered a Disease?

Open Document