Addiction Is it a Disease or a Choice Essay - 1000 Words

Addiction: is it a disease or a choice? A disease can be described as â€Å"a disorder of structure or function that produces specific signs or symptoms, or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of a physical injury.† Knowing this, one can believe addiction is a disease. It is something that is done frequently, that usually does not end, just as a disease; it cannot cease on its own, because it requires some form of treatment. The big question regarding addiction is why people believe it to be a choice opposed to a disease. Addiction affects 40% of the population in the Western world (Lewis, Marc). There are many different kinds of addictions such as: food, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling or sexual aspects. When†¦show more content†¦If addiction is put in the disease category, it alleviates shame and gets people to seek treatment sooner. Addiction can be referred to as a matter of choice. If someone chooses to be addicted to something, they make the choice to not put an end to the use of the substance. An addiction is not something that can be forced upon an individual. Self-medication is the effort and ability to help oneself to better themselves, when it comes to their addiction. They find ways to replace the action, or they add other things thinking it will help them recover. The road to recovery is like a developmental process for the individuals that are suffering. Addiction is now mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM). With it being mentioned in this book, the idea cannot be dismissed about it being a disease (Leyton, Marco). This book is used to look up diseases and learn more about the overview, symptoms and possible cures. All of the diseases known are listed. It’s like the dictionary or encyclopedia of human diseases. Some people continue to believe an addiction is nothing but a choice. 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