The core of popular confusion surrounding the meaning of addiction is whether it should be categorized as a disease, a choice, or some gradient along the scale. It should be noted that every major government, health, and substance abuse organization falls squarely into the “addiction as a disease” camp. The
National Institutes of Health refers to addiction as a “
chronic relapsing disorder” that is characterized by compulsive behavior despite its adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder because “it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control.” The APA further stresses that heritable traits can increase the risk factor for addiction significantly.
Those who believe addiction is a choice stress social and environmental factors as the primary influencers. Unlike other diseases, addiction is not transmissible or contagious, hereditary or degenerative, and it is self-acquired. However, if drug abuse was simply a matter of choice, treatment would be far simpler, and relapses would be far less common.