Addiction and Free Choice Revisted

I revisited my blog entry, Addiction and Free Choice, and decided to break it down based on what I have learned since then.

The article states that addiction is a disease and that those who die from their addictions are sick people, rather than morally deficient. The author states that "an addicted person’s failures in the realm of choice are the product of a brain that has become greatly compromised". This statement makes a lot of sense to me after reading about brain scans and other studies that show differences in the brains of addicts and non-addicts. It is also an interesting paradox of sorts, because while the addict is choosing to use, their brains are not really capable of making any other choice. Although free-will may be present initially when the addict begins using, the article claims that is still not a reason to judge them later on. When compared to diabetes or cancer, both of which can be caused by a persons' decision to partake in unhealthy behaviors, it is apparent to me that we are dealing with a similar phenomenon. Just because an addict makes poor decisions by using potentially addictive substances, does not discount the fact that they develop a disease. When viewing addiction from this disease model, it is clear that despite whatever led to the addiction, some type of treatment or intervention is necessary for recovery. This is not just a moral, emotional, or spiritual issue- it is also biological.