Addiction Is A Disease In The Movie Unguarded By Chris Heren

For many years, addiction was regarded as a sort of moral shortcoming and lack of willpower. Through the years, new research has pointed to evidence that addiction is a disease. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is defined as a “chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences” (Abuse, The). Evidently by definition, addiction is defined as a disease and for a greater understanding one must understand what a disease is. Oxford Dictionary defines disease as “a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical
Drug addiction clearly alters the physical structure of the brain which falls under the category of diseases. To build upon this, drug addiction also changes one's behaviours in destructive manners. For example, common behaviours of drug addicts include “sudden changes in a social network, dramatic changes in habits and/or priorities, financial problems, and involvement in criminal activity” (Signs). In fact, many of these behaviours can be seen displayed by Chris Herren in the film Unguarded. For instance, Herren’s priorities changed dramatically such as when he would need to buy drugs twenty minutes before a basketball game in order to even function. His habits also changed, such as when he shaved and brushed his teeth in the shower because he could not stand looking at himself in the mirror. Herren also faced financial difficulties, although he made good money playing basketball, he became broke due to his habit and resorted to selling his wife's jewelery or kids game consoles at pawn shops for drug money. Lastly, Herren faced legal issues many times from criminal activity by illegally taking drugs and overdosing, or losing his basketball career (Unguarded). As seen, drug addiction yields many