Unfortunately, at the very same time, it prods people to see themselves as hapless victims of a process beyond their control. Addiction is definitely difficult to understand, because it starts out as a voluntary activity but, for many people, the brain adapts so quickly to that activity it becomes difficult to control. Changes in neural circuitry make the reward extra compelling; it becomes difficult to pay attention to anything else and difficult to stop, even when use creates problems and there is a desire to quit. By educating the public about the true nature of addiction and sharing stories of recovery and resilience, we can help break down barriers and create a more compassionate and understanding society.

The Argument for Addiction as a Choice

Addiction is a complex condition that is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, and neurobiology. Over time, the brain of the addict determines that it no longer needs to produce the same amount of dopamine and adapts. This makes recovery extremely difficult because the person with the addiction eventually feels flat, unmotivated and often depressed and begins to crave the high of the drug. As advancements in neuroscience shed light on the neurobiological transitions from recreational use to addiction, there is greater awareness of the intersectionality of behavior and biological predispositions in addiction. Exploring addiction through both a behavioral and neurobiological lens acknowledges the intricate and multifaceted nature of this condition. For families grappling with addiction, resources such as families suffer from alcohol abuse can be beneficial.

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No connection is made between choice processes and rule following, so it is not clear how the major argument about the role of choice in drug abuse connects to the prevalence of rule following. Heyman argues that most people do not become drug abusers because they follow established societal rules. A problem with that supposition is that it ignores why people follow those rules. Moreover, to suggest that somehow the long-term benefit afforded by following rules reinforces rule following is also glib. The delays are generally far too long to invoke reinforcement as the operative behavioral process.

Disease or Choice? The Debate Surrounding the Origin of Addiction

The question of whether addiction is a disease is a longstanding and complex debate that taps into perspectives from medicine, psychology, and even philosophy. On one side, proponents argue that addiction is indeed a disease, much like diabetes or heart disease. This view is supported by a substantial body of research that shows addiction impacts brain chemistry and functioning. When a person repeatedly uses a substance, the brain undergoes changes in areas responsible for judgment, decision-making, and impulse control.

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And if alcohol or drug use is normalized in your friend group and substances are easily available, social factors can play a part in developing addiction, too. Both substances and behaviors can hijack the brain’s reward system and lead to compulsive use. The reason for this comes from three key points regarding how addiction affects an addict. The third point of note is that a person’s risk of addiction rises based on hereditary factors. If addiction were purely a choice, these three points would not exist altogether. Much of the argument that addiction is a choice stems from misconceptions about the types of people who suffer from addiction.

The first time individuals drink or take drugs, they do so voluntarily, and they believe they can control their use. With time, more and more alcohol or drugs are needed to achieve the same level of pleasure and satisfaction as when they first started. Seeking out and taking the substance becomes a near-constant activity, causing significant problems for them and their family and friends. At the same time, progressive changes in the brain drive the compulsive, uncontrollable drug use known as addiction. The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) classify addiction as a disease. When compared to other diseases like heart disease, diabetes type 2, and cancer, addiction is also made up of a combination of environmental, behavioral, and genetic or biological factors.

When a person begins abusing a substance or regularly uses prescription drugs for too long, their body will begin to adapt itself to account for its presence in order to maintain homeostasis, or balance. Over time, this leads to what is known as tolerance, which is when the body has adjusted itself enough that the individual will need to take more of their chosen drug in order to experience the same effects. This encourages them to further abuse the drug, and as this is happening, the individual’s brain will also be rewiring itself to desire more. It’s the result of various risk factors that interplay to make an individual susceptible.

• When this happens, individuals can no longer voluntarily choose to not use drugs or alcohol, even if it means losing everything they once valued.
• The first view has been the most common understanding of addiction throughout history, and as a result there is a stigma surrounding people who struggle with drug abuse that often prevents them from willingly seeking help.
• We are here to provide the support and care you need to take the first step toward recovery.
• Criteria 10 and 11 do not apply to someone taking a prescription drug as directed.
• It’s a decision that one makes, often without fully understanding the potential health consequences.

If you or your loved ones are drinking alcohol or using other drugs, it is never too early or too late to ask for help. Professional treatment for addiction is an effective way to address sober house both your physical dependence and addiction. These programs don’t view the people who ask for help as “addicts” but as individuals struggling with a chronic condition affecting every aspect of their lives.

Addiction impairs your frontal cortex,7 the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, planning, and foresight. As a result, it gets harder to resist impulsive urges in favor of long-term goals like sobriety. This is why people struggling with addiction may fully understand the negative consequences of their actions, but still feel powerless against the overwhelming urge to use.