Addiction—it’s one of those topics that gets people talking, and honestly, it’s been a point of debate for years. The big question?
Is drug addiction a disease? For some, it seems like an obvious “yes,” but for others, it’s not so clear-cut. The truth is, the answer depends a lot on how we define addiction, what we think causes it, and how we understand its effects.
In this post, we’ll explore both the widely accepted disease model and other perspectives that challenge it. Along the way, we’ll see how these different views shape the way we approach things like treatment and recovery. It’s a complex issue, but understanding all sides can help us make sense of it.
You’re naturally inclined to pursue what brings you pleasure. It’s just how humans work.
If you’re doing something that makes you feel good, your brain will release dopamine. Thus, you feel a rush of pleasure when you spend time with a buddy or eat a particularly good meal. This forms a loop. You pursue such experiences because they bring you joy, and your mind craves that sensation.
Some activities can cause stronger feelings of pleasure in your brain. These include using certain drugs, having intimate moments, or playing video games. While these might feel satisfying in the moment, the effects can be more complicated.
It is human nature to seek rewards. However, it is important to find a balance. You should decide which rewards will help you in the long run.
Addiction is when someone really wants something too much, can’t stop using it, and keeps trying to get it even if it causes problems. Addiction changes how the parts of the brain work. It first affects your sense of enjoyment. Later, it lowers your interest in other important things.
Over time, you might get used to it (tolerance), which means you’ll want to use it more often or in larger amounts. This can happen to anyone and usually leads to significant physical, emotional, and social issues.
Addiction isn’t limited to substances like drugs and alcohol. While these are the most recognized forms, there are also behavioral and process addictions. These can be just as harmful. Below, we’ll explore the main types of addiction and how they affect the brain and behavior.
1. Substance Addiction
This type of addiction involves the misuse of drugs, ranging from illicit substances to prescription medications. Some common substances associated with addiction include:
Illicit Drugs:
Alcohol:
Prescription Drugs:
Tobacco:
2. Behavioral Addiction
Behavioral addictions involve compulsive engagement in certain activities or behaviors despite negative consequences. These include:
These behaviors can take over a person’s life, similar to how substance addiction does. They can impact relationships, jobs, and overall health and happiness.
3. Process Addiction
Process addictions involve an addiction to specific actions or routines. While not related to a substance, these behaviors can still have a compulsive nature. Examples include:
When people get stuck in these patterns, compulsive behavior becomes a way to cope with deeper emotional issues. Even when it’s causing problems, they can’t seem to stop. It’s like a band-aid that doesn’t really fix the underlying wound.
One of the most widely accepted views is that addiction is a disease. It is the basis for many treatment and recovery options we have today.
These include medication-assisted treatment, evidence-based therapies, and 12-step programs like AA and NA. It also covers residential, inpatient, and outpatient treatment centers. But what exactly does it mean to call addiction a disease?
The way we define addiction has changed over time. It can also differ from person to person. Different organizations and healthcare providers may have their own definitions, too.
However, major health institutions like the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) generally share the same perspective: they consider addiction a disease. They describe it as a long-term condition. It often leads to relapses. People feel an uncontrollable urge to use substances, even when it causes problems.
Supporters of the disease model of addiction believe it is more than just bad choices or weak willpower. It is a complex issue that includes physical, biological, and psychological factors. Here’s a rundown of some of the main arguments that back this perspective:
Neurobiological Evidence
A change in brain chemistry is a key sign of addiction. This is one reason why addiction is seen as a disease, not a choice or a moral failing.
Here’s how it breaks down:
Genetic Predisposition
Scientists have found that genetics have a substantial influence on addiction, accounting for roughly 40 to 60 percent of a person’s susceptibility. It means that addiction often runs in families. If you have relatives who struggle with addiction, you might be more at risk of developing similar behaviors. Of course, factors like your environment and lifestyle matter, too, but the genetic influence is hard to ignore.
Chronic and Relapsing Nature
Addiction works like other long-term health problems. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Just as with these conditions, the journey of addiction isn’t a straight line. It involves a series of highs and lows, where relapses and recoveries frequently occur together.
Treatment Success and Medical Interventions
Drug detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), therapy, and other support options can help people with addiction. They reduce cravings and manage harsh withdrawal symptoms. These methods also help people stay on track for long-term recovery.
While the idea that addiction is a disease has gained widespread acceptance, it’s not a universally held belief. Many people support the disease model, but there are also compelling arguments from those who question this view.
Some people believe that calling addiction a disease can make others feel less responsible for their actions. They argue that, in the end, you should be accountable for what you do and the choices you make. They contend that addiction is not a medical issue but rather a consequence of poor choices or moral deficiencies. They think taking responsibility for one’s actions is more important than blaming an illness for behavior.
Another point is that addiction is more about learned behaviors or your environment. It is not just a biological issue. Critics often highlight social pressures, childhood trauma, and stress from life events as key risk factors in addiction.
Some people think that calling addiction just a disease could make us depend too much on medicine and treatments. They’re concerned that this focus could overshadow other crucial types of support. Things like:
At first, substance use might be voluntary, but repeated use rewires your brain in ways that make it difficult to stop. The disease model of addiction views it as needing ongoing care. This is similar to managing a long-term health issue.
The idea that addiction is a disease isn’t new. It actually dates back to 1849, when a Swedish doctor named Magnus Huss published his essay Alcoholismus Chronicus. Huss was the first to describe alcoholism—something that wasn’t even widely recognized yet—as a disease. He explained how it caused physical damage to the body and could even be fatal.
The disease model frames addiction as a brain disorder affecting the reward system. Repeated substance use or compulsive behaviors are thought to cause enduring brain changes that make it hard for a person to stop without help. Addiction isn’t seen as a lack of willpower but as a chronic condition needing ongoing care.
While the disease model is widely recognized, it is not the only way to view addiction. Several alternative perspectives offer different explanations for why addiction occurs and how it should be treated.
This model focuses on how addiction develops through learned behaviors. It suggests that your brain links certain actions with pleasurable outcomes. As time goes by, you tend to engage in these behaviors more and more to keep getting that same reward, leading to compulsive patterns.
This model says that addiction is a learned behavior. It often comes from social influences like peer pressure, family, and culture. It emphasizes that by changing your social environment, you can “unlearn” addictive behaviors and break free from harmful patterns.
The choice model says that addiction happens because people make conscious decisions. It believes that people choose to do things that can become addictive, even if they know the bad results. Supporters think that beating addiction is possible by taking back control, making better choices, and being disciplined.
All these models have different views, but they all agree that addiction is complicated. Knowing the main reasons—like changes in the brain, habits, social effects, or personal choices—can help in finding ways to treat it.
We know that cost is a major factor for most people when seeking treatment for drug & alcohol abuse in Virginia. Novara Recovery Center works with most major insurance plans to help cover up to 100% of the costs associated with treatment at our program. To find out your personal options for treatment, get a free verification of insurance benefits right now by clicking the button below.
When we discuss the disease model, we see how it affects treatment and how society views it. It also changes how people see themselves. Let’s break down the effects this model has, especially on treatment options and the potential stigma it can create.
When we see these issues as coming from biological or medical causes, it can change everything. This includes our treatment methods and how easily people can access care.
Non-profits, charities, and religious groups are helping people who cannot afford care. They play an important role in providing support. Plus, family members and employers are becoming more proactive in backing individuals who are looking for help. Although some groups still face challenges, these changes have made substance abuse treatment easier to access and more diverse.
The disease model has the potential to reduce certain stigmas associated with conditions like addiction and mental illness. If you see that you have a health issue and not a moral flaw, you might feel better about getting help.
The question of whether addiction is a disease is a complex and often debated one. The disease model is popular in medicine and public discussions. It sees addiction as a long-term condition with biological, genetic, and brain chemistry causes. However, it is important to understand that addiction is complex.
You can’t just look at it from one perspective and think you understand everything. It’s a complicated mix of many things:
But the disease model doesn’t explain everything. It doesn’t consider the bigger picture, such as the effects of:
Addiction is a multi-layered issue, and understanding it requires looking at all these pieces together. It’s about recognizing the full range of influences that contribute to what you’re going through.
Addiction reasons can differ greatly from person to person. The best treatment is when recovery is tailored for each individual. This approach helps address other related issues, including:
If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol or drug use disorders, get in touch with us. We understand that for many people, medications are important in recovery. This includes medication-assisted therapy (MAT) for opioid addiction and antidepressants for mental health issues.
These treatments can be crucial in helping manage symptoms and bring stability to your life. Some people may need a more complete and varied approach to address the complexities of addiction.
On top of individual therapy, social support is just as important. Recovery is not just about what happens in therapy; it’s also about your environment and connections with others. We also offer support systems like:
Visit us at 2815 Old Lee Highway Floor 2, Fairfax, VA 22031, or contact us today by calling (703) 705-7870. You can also email us at info@novararecovery.com for more information or to schedule a consultation.
Written By:
Mental Health Writer
Geoffrey Andaria is a seasoned writer and editor specializing in mental health content. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, he possesses a solid foundation in crafting freelance articles and conducting research. Geoffrey has also completed courses in social work. He dedicates himself to providing valuable and informative content for individuals impacted by mental health challenges and addiction.
Medically Reviewed By:
Expert Contributor
Dr. Williams is currently a board member for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He possesses a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds a license to offer addiction counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut. Additionally, he has submitted an application to become a licensed psychologist in New Jersey.
