Research Final Paper
Alyssa Stott
Mr. Chekares
English III
15 May 2014
Addiction is a Disease Not a Choice
When adults and adolescents turn to alcohol and drugs, they are usually trying to escape reality. During the process of becoming addicted, people are being overly dependent on the substances they ingest into their bodies causing them to become a different person.
Some people should be aware that addiction is a disease because it cannot be cured, but it can successfully be treated. Many believe that having an addiction is a choice because it’s up to his/herself to limit themselves from becoming too attached. It’s true, people can train themselves to try and prevent an addiction from happening before it gets critical. Once an addict becomes addicted to a certain substance, the body and the brain endures a mental, emotional, and physical attachment. There are many substances that many people get addicted to such as alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, and anti-depressants.
A lot of people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. It is often mistakenly assumed that drug abusers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Half of the society believes that addiction is a choice and not a disease. They believe that because they think that it’s up to a person to know their limitations and should be able to know what is right from wrong. Many think that calling addiction a disease is an excuse for poor choices. People should know when enough is enough, that is true, but once the body becomes overly attached to a certain substance the body begins to become weak. The body actually starts relying on the substance that’s being ingested into them. In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even
Mr. Chekares
English III
15 May 2014
Addiction is a Disease Not a Choice
When adults and adolescents turn to alcohol and drugs, they are usually trying to escape reality. During the process of becoming addicted, people are being overly dependent on the substances they ingest into their bodies causing them to become a different person.
Some people should be aware that addiction is a disease because it cannot be cured, but it can successfully be treated. Many believe that having an addiction is a choice because it’s up to his/herself to limit themselves from becoming too attached. It’s true, people can train themselves to try and prevent an addiction from happening before it gets critical. Once an addict becomes addicted to a certain substance, the body and the brain endures a mental, emotional, and physical attachment. There are many substances that many people get addicted to such as alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, and anti-depressants.
A lot of people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. It is often mistakenly assumed that drug abusers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Half of the society believes that addiction is a choice and not a disease. They believe that because they think that it’s up to a person to know their limitations and should be able to know what is right from wrong. Many think that calling addiction a disease is an excuse for poor choices. People should know when enough is enough, that is true, but once the body becomes overly attached to a certain substance the body begins to become weak. The body actually starts relying on the substance that’s being ingested into them. In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even
Cited: Dewey, William. "Addiction Research: A National Imperative." Friends of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, November 2008. Web. 9 May 2014. "Treatment." Current Issues: Macmillan Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 2 May 2014. "Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction." National Institutes of Health, September 2009. Web. 12 May. 2014. "Understanding Addiction." Home Box Office. Web. 12 May. 2014. Willenbring, Mark. "Understanding the Impact of Alcohol on Human Health and Well-being." National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Web. 9 May 2014.