It’s a damaging misconception that because a person initially decides to use alcohol or drugs, they’re “choosing” to become addicted. Unfortunately, this narrow band of thinking is rooted in the many stigmas that influence people’s perspectives about the subject—for example, if someone simply had enough willpower, they wouldn’t have an addiction problem is a common myth. So let’s take a closer look at why a clear definition of addiction matters to a person’s health.
Addiction: Moral Failing or a Brain Disease?
It’s challenging to pinpoint exactly when the public perception of addiction became a moral issue, but historians often point to church abstinence pledges dating as far back as the 1800s as well as the temperance movement and Prohibition in the U.S. as pivotal moments.
Also in the late 1800s–early 1900s, the primary ingredient for the beverage Coca-Cola was cocaine. First created by Atlanta pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton, it was a non-alcoholic alternative to some of his previous nerve and headache tonics. After the product changed hands a few times, new owners eliminated the cocaine ingredient and replaced it with caffeine, then mass-produced the product into the worldwide soda available now.
A person from that time who trusted a local pharmacist to dispense a beverage to help them get over their ailments is similar to an individual now following their doctor’s advice to take opioids for pain management. Are they morally wrong for taking a drug that can possibly help them? No. However, is it possible to become addicted to prescription drugs? Yes.
Here’s one reason why the above example is an important point to address for helping people understand why addiction isn’t a choice. While it’s true that individuals choose to use drugs or alcohol, the conscious intent isn’t to become addicted. Some people can frequently use substances without developing a compulsion to misuse. This includes
- Lawfully obtained substances such as alcohol or marijuana
- Illicit drugs like cocaine, fentanyl, or PCP
- A prescription issued by a healthcare provider
Unfortunately for others, their brains experience predictable changes with each use, which only creates a stronger dependence on the drug. Other risk factors such as trauma, family behavior and genetics, environmental triggers, and psychological characteristics like impulsivity can also contribute to a powerful reliance on a substance.
According to the Addiction Policy Forum, “Like other illnesses, addiction gets worse over time. Similar to stages of cancer, there are levels of severity to describe a substance use disorder.” It adds that “The National Institute on Drug Abuse, the American Medical Association, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine frame substance use disorder as a medical condition.”
Treating Addiction as a Brain Disease
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “1 in 7 Americans reports experiencing a substance use disorder. There’s not one single driving factor that leads to addiction.”
The CDC further explains how people develop substance use disorder (SUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD), which we provide verbatim:
- When people take drugs or use alcohol, the brain is flooded with chemicals that take over the brain’s reward system and cause them to repeat behaviors that feel good but aren’t healthy.
- The brain adapts to continued use by developing a tolerance, which means it takes more of a substance to feel the same result.
- Not only does this lessen the brain’s ability to resist temptation, but it can also affect the amount of pleasure a person receives from normal, healthy activities like enjoying food or the company of others.
The CDC also states “Addiction is a disease, not a character flaw. People suffering from AUDs and SUDs have trouble controlling their misuse even though they know substances are harmful. Overcoming a SUD is not as simple as resisting the temptation to take drugs through willpower alone.”
So to truly help people with addiction, it’s critical to clarify that while the condition might be complex, it’s treatable. This is the same thought process applied to people needing medical care to manage other chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease
But if someone feels discriminated against or judged because of their problem, the less likely they’ll admit to it and seek treatment. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) points out that “to eliminate the stigma surrounding substance use disorders, we need to see these disorders for what they are: chronic, treatable medical conditions. People with substance use disorders deserve compassion and respect—not blame for their illness.”
Choose Wellness at Ivory Plains
While developing an addiction isn’t a choice, going to a rehabilitation facility for proper detoxification and medical care is. Unfortunately, health isn’t the only thing that suffers when someone has SUD or AUD. Complications with relationships, employment, finances, housing—even legal issues—might all get caught in the net.
At our addiction rehabilitation program in Adair, Iowa, our board-certified professionals provide a comprehensive detox, partial hospitalization, and residential care designed to fully address all aspects contributing to a person’s addiction, then provide the right therapy, mutual aid support programs, and other resources to help them heal and move forward in life. If you or a loved one is facing this choice, start by calling our admissions office today to learn more.
