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Originally posted by apathistAgreed. And you have tried to over simplify it.
The subject is complicated,
but addiction is not a disease,
Actually addiction fits every definition of 'disease' that I looked up. What is your definition?
it is not due to genetic flaw,
Its often the case that a genetic characteristic does affect susceptibility to addiction. Whether a genetic characteristic can be termed a 'flaw' is debatable.
it is not an act of the gods,
Agreed.
and it is not inescapable.
That depends. I would say that a child born with an addiction could not escape it. Similarly, many people are put in environments where it is very difficult to avoid addiction and very hard to escape once addicted. Addiction, by definition, is when you can no longer resist the urge to perform a given behaviour.
Google the thread title.
Provide your own sources rather than demanding that we do your work for you.
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Originally posted by apathistdis·ease (di-zēz'😉,
The subject is complicated, but addiction is not a disease, it is not due to genetic flaw, it is not an act of the gods, and it is not inescapable.
Google the thread title.
1. An interruption, cessation, or disorder of a body, system, or organ structure or function.
See also: syndrome. Synonym(s): illness, morbus, sickness
looks like addictions fits the description to me.
Originally posted by twhitehead...If we trust AMA, it is a disorder, not a disease.
Actually addiction fits every definition of 'disease' that I looked up. What is your definition?
More robust is that with addiction there is no infectious agent, no pathological biological process, and no biologically degenerative condition. Nothing is forcing your addiction onto you except by your own choice.
The 'disease' meme is pretty strong in our culture. It takes a free thinker to get past it. Hey! Learn about rat park.
Originally posted by twhitehead... Addiction, by definition, is when you can no longer resist the urge to perform a given behaviour. ...Or, it causes a strong and harmful need to regularly have or do something, or is a very enjoyable in a way that makes you want to do or have something again.
Compulsion, btw, is just performing an act persistently and repetitively without it necessarily leading to an actual reward or pleasure.
We can always resist (even in handcuffs!), so I guess the key word is 'need'. There are withdraw symptoms, physical addiction can be serious. But there is no doubt that many people faced with the most serious of addictions decided to resist (despite your definition) , and there is no doubt that recovery from any addiction is possible.
Originally posted by stellspalfieI admit this is a subject where standard definitions can lead us astray.
dis·ease (di-zēz'😉,
1. An interruption, cessation, or disorder of a body, system, or organ structure or function.
See also: syndrome. Synonym(s): illness, morbus, sickness
looks like addictions fits the description to me.
I was lucid dreaming before the dictionaries acknowledged that it was possible. Now it is known as fact.
This situation isn't as drastic. Plenty of dictionaries, and especially technical dictionaries, get it right.
If we suffer from disease, all the willpower in the world will not help. Contrast that fact with addiction.