Although some still argue the point, most reputable addiction specialists accept that addiction is a disease. This was ‘discovered’ in the 1950’s and through the years evidence has only served to confirm this assertion.
Medical dictionaries define a disease as:
“Any deviation from, or interruption of , the normal structures or function of any part, organ or symptom (or combination thereof) of the body that is manifested by a characteristic set of symptoms and signs, and where etiology (cause), pathology and prognosis (outcome) may be known or unknown.”
Addiction fits all of the criteria listed in this definition as it:
· Produces identifiable pathological signs and symptoms and
· Affects many organs and systems in the body.
· Is a morbid process that will cause death, if left untreated.
The following is a list of some of the criteria for the inclusion of addiction as an illness:
SYMPTOMS OF ADDICTION
- Physical and psychological dependence and the presence of withdrawal symptoms when the drug of choice is withdrawn
- Physical and mental deterioration. Damage varies according to the type of drug used.
- Loss of control over the use of a substance or activity. The addict has no more control over alcohol or drug use that a cancer patient has over the growth of cancer cells.
- Excessive and inappropriate use of a mood-altering substance or activity. That is, the addict uses too much and at the wrong time.
- Causes harm to self and others as a result of the loss of control. This is evidenced in one or all areas of physical, psychological and social functioning.
- Denial, a complex, entrenched system of addictive thinking that prevents the addict from the reality of the progress of the addiction.
- Pre-occupation with getting and using their drug of choice despite serious consequences. The addict’s life is increasingly driven by their substance use and not by their own free will.
- Good Intentions. The addict will often make promises to themselves and others that they are unable to fulfill.
IT IS A PRIMARY DISEASE.
It must be treated before other diseases or illnesses can be treated. Addiction has the ability to mask other conditions and its symptoms can mimic other illnesses which can lead to misdiagnosis. E.g. if a patient presents with diabetes, the addiction to alcohol must be treated first, before the diabetes can be managed successfully.
iT CANNOT BE CURED, BUT CAN BE TREATED AND MANAGED.
The only universally accepted treatment is complete abstinence from all mood-altering substances. To achieve this, good recovery programmes advocate for the adoption of a healthy lifestyle away from the use of chemicals.
IT IS PROGRESSIVE - AND FATAL IF LEFT UNTREATED.
The course of addiction, like any illness, has a course to run. The only way to interrupt this course is to abstain from using. If an addict relapses, the disease will resume its course, and is often more serious than previously experienced.
IT IS A NO-FAULT DISEASE.
It is not the addict’s fault that they have a genetic or chemical pre-disposition for addiction. All people who make a decision to use alcohol or any mood-altering drugs of any description, run the risk of developing an addiction. Even people who legitimately use prescribed mood-altering substances could become addicted.
IT HAS A BIO-CHEMICAL AND GENETIC BASE.
- More than 50% of alcoholics have a family history of alcoholism or addiction. There seems to be genetic material (DNA), which is responsible for the transmission of the physical and neuro-chemical factors, which create addictive pre-disposition.
- New functional MRI research has revealed an important connection between addiction and the our brains. It seems that mood-altering, and therefore, potentially addictive substances and activities ,stimulate an addiction pathway in our brain.
- Low levels of serotonin may lead a person to prefer alcohol or drugs and may contribute to the development of the addictive process.
RELPASE IS NOT ONLY POSSIBLE, BUT EXPECTED.
Because of our negative attitudes towards addicts, we expect the addict to stop using and stay stopped. This is an unrealistic as expecting the asthmatic to never have a recurring asthma attack. there is no evidence to suggest that the costs of treating addictions are any greater than treating diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, hypertension or any other diseases.
IT IS A HOLISCTIC DISEASE.
Addiction is not only a physical disease, but a psychological, social, mental and spiritual one.
Knowledge is vital to recovery. Know the enemy. Addicts need to know and understand their disease in order to recover. Those of us who live with, work with and come into contact with addicts need to be knowledgeable so that we are part of the solution and not part of the problem.
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