You Choose!
According to Britannica, choice is the act of picking or deciding between two or more possibilities. For example, responding to this week's prompt is by choice, and I can also decide not to write about the given topic. One of the things that makes us a living being is our ability to make choices based on what we want.
Generally, a disease can be any condition that causes pain, discomfort, stress, social problems or death to the affected person, or those in contact with the person. A disease can be deeply distressing, leaving one physically and emotionally damaged. Now, considering the various basic definitions of choice and disease, which category does it really fall into? Before categorizing, a definition of addiction should make this straightforward.
In simple words, addiction is an undeniable urge to do something that is hard to control or stop despite negative or harmful consequences. Its impact on health, relationships, and overall quality of life can be very significant. It involves relentless or compulsive seeking to do whatever it is one is addicted to, even when the adverse effects on the person are well known to him or her.
So, where do we categorize addiction after all? Well, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is a chronic brain disorder, and it does not happen from having a lack of willpower or as a result of making bad choices. If we are to follow this, then addiction is a disease.
However, from the definition, addiction is referred to as something chronic. That means it has been there for a long time, and it started one day, by choice. I have seen addicts up close, and I am not here to judge them, but it seems they know they can stop their addiction, but they don't want it to stop because of whatever it is they gain from it, whether it is euphoria or excitement.
Whenever addiction is mentioned, most people turn their minds towards drug addicts, but addiction runs deeper than that. I've been around guys who nearly ruined their lives not because of drugs or sex, but because they were addicted to playing a particular game. I mean, these guys play games to the point where it was basically affecting their health and lifestyle.
How about the more popular but less criticized one, gambling? Many people are homeless today because they couldn't stop gambling. Some of them have literally turned betting shops into their office. Once the shop opens, they are already betting on games. After losing their money, they will hang around others who come in to play. Once those who later come into the shop win, the addicts will beg for money from them. One would think they would leave after being gifted money, but no, they will use the money to play another round of bets and then lose it. And the cycle continues. They can choose to leave, but they'd rather stay and gamble.
In conclusion, I believe addiction is more of a problem of choice than a disease. Whatever it is anyone is addicted to, there is always a standing choice not to do it at all. As a matter of fact, right before addicts do a thing, their mind always reminds them that what is about to be done is not ideal. Yet, they do it anyway. So, it all boils down to their decision-making, their choice.
