A drug is any actual substance that can be smoked, injected, smoked or absorbed via the skin to alter the psychological and physical functioning of the human body. Drug addiction is a relapsing brain disease which changes how the brain works due to compulsive use of illegal drugs. It is also defined as a state of massive dependence on drugs which is both emotional and physical dependence. According to Jeffrey & Daniel (p.1283) , a disease, in this case, is a condition of living with a structure disorder in human beings that produce signs that affect the brain. According to Miriam ( 2018 , in paragraph 12), “Evidence shows that any harm to the mind can cause long-lasting effects which are very dangerous.” The research on this paper shows in details reasons as to why drug addiction is termed as a disease by most medical associations.
Addiction is a complex brain and body disease that is caused by the use of several substances despite their health consequences (Daniel, p.101). Habit is very harmful as it disrupts brain region which is responsible for motivation, memory, and learning. Relationships, workplaces, and families are examples of body systems that end up entirely ruined by drug addiction.
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Just like in cancer and heart disease, drug addiction is also caused by a combination of environmental and biological factors. Any condition needs treatment, therefore, since addiction is also a disease, it should be treated because if not treated it becomes more severe and a life threat. According to Owen & Julian (30) , d rug addiction can be considered as a disease since it can alter the functioning of the brain. Drug addiction affects individual’s ability to make rational decisions and creates a physical dependency on substance use without experiencing withdrawals.
Drug addiction is a chronic disease because it is a long-term condition which can be controlled but not permanently cured. About 50% of people who are drug addicts always appear to have a severe chronic disorder (Jeffrey & Daniel, p.1245). These people require peer and family support to manage their recovery; they also need regular treatments and aftercare because addiction is a progressive condition.
Drug addiction can as well be said not to be a disease by some individuals since it is a personal choice to choose either to use drugs or alcohol. There are also more arguments stating that addiction is not a disease because even without treatment, drug addicts still get better ( Miriam, 2018, paragraph 10 ) . The group of people who are not much addicted to drugs recover with little treatment where else those seriously addicted requires intensive treatment accompanied by lifelong management and checkups.
Another reason as to why drug addiction is said not to be a disease is because it is a habit that grows and perpetuates itself very quickly when users pursue the same highly attractive goal. This allows for the formation of new pathways in the brain and old pathways eradicated (Owen & Julian, p.43). The users always believe that these drugs will make them feel better despite plenty of evidence to the contrary. This habit can be changed thus addiction is not a disease. According to Gercken & Pelletier (p.34), p eople who are drug addicts should not be blamed at all. The reason is that even if one chooses to depend on drugs, nobody chooses how that specific medication will make the body and the brain respond.
To conclude, even though drug addiction is termed as a chronic form of disorder the best thing about it is that it is reversible and manageable. It is necessary to carry on regular treatments, monitoring, and support for quick recovery.
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Daniel, H. L. (2016). The Impact of Ghanaian Peacekeeping on Domestic Civil–Military Relations. The Good Society. Penn State University Press.Vol. 25, No. 1 (2016), pp. 81-104. Accessed on 1 st Nov. 2017 from http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5325
Jeffrey, F., & Daniel, R. (2017). Understanding Recent Spikes and Longer Trends in American Murders. Columbia Law Review Association, Inc. Vol. 117, No. 5. pp. 1235-1296
Miriam, B. ( 2018). Hurt: Chronicles of the Drug War Generation. University of California Press. (1 st Ed). pp. 288. Accessed from https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctt1wn0rt1?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=Drug&searchText=abuse&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicResults%3Fso%3Dnew%26amp%3Bsi%3D1%26amp%3BQuery%3DDrug%2Babuse
Owen G. S., & Julian, S. (2017). Better Minds, Better Morals: A Procedural Guide to Better Judgment. Journal of Post human Studies . Penn State University Press.Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 26-43.
Gercken, B., & Pelletier, J. (Eds.). (2017). Gambling on Authenticity: Gaming, the Noble Savage, and the Not-So-New Indian . East Lansing: Michigan State University Press. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.14321/j.ctt1trkjz9
