When Choice Becomes Chains

There are some questions that demand that we look deeply into ourselves and provide honest answers without beating about the bush. Should addiction be viewed as a choice or a disease? That's a big question here, but I will do well to be honest with my answers, as this prompt demands.

From my experience, addiction is not something that people get into in full force immediately; it's something that grows over time. It might start as fun, and before you know it, your body starts getting used to it gradually; your mind too is not left out. You might say in your mind, "It's something you can quit anytime," and like play, like play , you are losing control, you can no longer do without that particular thing, and addiction sets in.

Addiction destroys life if nothing is done to curb it on time. It disorganize many people and they might lose focus . It's capable of pulling down someone to a zero level. I think I once mentioned a young guy who was addicted to betting. It started like a choice. He saw others playing the game and being fortunate, and then he decided to belong and kept playing with expectations. It happened for many months without a single win, and instead of him stopping, he kept on borrowing money to play.

It was as if, if he doesn't play it in a day, he can't control himself. He was losing it gradually, getting uncomfortable for lack of funds. To the point that he secretly sold his father's only land for betting, it was a disaster in their family back then. I guess the addictions penetrated into his blood, and he was going the extra mile; that's why I say that addiction can be a destroyer. If not, how can this young man decide to make away with his father's asset?

I think addiction graduates from a choice to a disease, or let's say a disorder. At this point, the victim lacks control of himself due to the initial choice he made. As much as I wouldn't dwell on addiction being a disease, because I have never seen a doctor treat someone for addiction, it's something that once the victim becomes aware of this problem, he seeks help immediately.

I wouldn't also say that addiction is only a choice so that I don't judge some people in a harsh manner. Again, I wouldn't say that it's purely a disease so that addicts wouldn't relax and say, "Oh yeah...I need to be treated for this, after all." First, it was your initial choice to try something, but it graduated to something controlling you. What I will advise is that once you detect any form of addiction, fight to deal with it.

It's your choice to get out of whatever it is that you are addicted to, but you must first be aware that you have a problem first, then become deliberate to pull out. Perhaps those around you can be of great help to your healing process.

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