Substance Abuse and Addiction: Choice or Disease
Substance Abuse and Addiction: Choice or Disease
Substance abuse and addiction will always be a hot topic, especially in the world we live. Drugs and alcohol are everywhere no matter where you live. There are those who are the occasional users and those who use all the time. Within the last year we have seen neighbors stick themselves with a needle and get high as well as receive Narcan in order to revive them. Scary to think it can be so close to home. You will find various opinions and research on the topic of substance abuse. Substance abuse can often be associated with abusing drugs, alcohol and miss using them. Addiction is just that being addicted to a substance. Within this paper I will be summarizing articles that discuss substance abuse and addiction as a choice or as a disease. Furthermore, I will share my personal thoughts and feelings as to where I stand on this matter.Substance Abuse and Addiction: Choice or Disease
Definition
According to WebMD, “”Substance abuse is when you take drugs that are not legal. It’s also when you use alcohol, prescription medicine and other legal substances too much or in a wrong way (“”What Is Substance Abuse”” 2018). WebMD continues to further state that, “”Substance abuse differs from addiction. Those who may struggle with substance abuse problems are able to quit or change their unhealthy behavior. Addiction is a disease, which means they can’t stop using even when it causes harm (“”What Is Substance Abuse”” 2018).
