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Disease of Addiction

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Disease of Addiction
Harley E. Lang
Argosy University
English 101
Module 4, Assignment 2
3-28-2015

There has been a war of two sides about substance abuse and addiction; scientific research has proven time and time again that addiction is a disease. The opposition side says that substance abuse and addiction is a choice of behavior. In an article published by Psychiatric Times, Jeffrey A. Schaler, author of Addiction Is a Choice, stated “Addiction is a behavior and thus clearly intended by the individual person.” He goes on in this article talking about how the addict monitors their use and the amount they use, so they are aware of what they are doing which makes it a choice to use. However scientific research proves that the use of drugs and alcohol changes brain patterns and the release of hormones in the brain which actually causes addiction, a disease after the choice to use is in the past. If addiction is a choice then so would be choosing to live an empty life full of pain, health issues, loss, and jail time. Who in their right mind would choose to lead a life like that? Drug and alcohol addiction only begins as a choice which creates a disease developed when the brain is subjected to substance abuse over a period of time, once the brain patterns change, it’s not about choice anymore. The disease of addiction should not be judged by people who have no personal experience and are not willing to face scientific facts. Studies have proven how the brain goes through changes with the use of drugs and alcohol, yet for some reason scientific proof isn’t enough for some individuals. The choice to use drugs or alcohol arises in everyone’s life, and that is agreeable, but the changes that occur in the brain after even that one time use can be permanent and lead to the disease of addiction. Research has proven that some people are more susceptible to

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