Branch, M. N. (2011). Drug addiction. Is it a disease or is it based on choice? A review of Gene Heyman’s Addiction. A disorder of Choice. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 95 (2), 263-267. Doi: 10.1901/jeab.2011.95-263.
This article presents addiction as an issue of controversy where some scholars view it as a chronic illness just like diabetes or heart diseases. Others argue that addiction is not an illness as one is capable of quitting the substance causing the addiction. This is unlike in cases of chronic illnesses where one has to lead an entire life with the disease.
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Daily Mail (2007, March 31). Is addiction an illness or a weakness? Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-442580/Is-addiction-illness-weakness.html
This article presents two views on the issue of addiction. It states that there is a book that argues that addiction is more of a moral issue than an illness. However, the article also presents the view that addiction is an illness as reinforced by both the British and American Medical Associations which categorize addiction under mental illnesses.
Hall, W., Carter, A. & Forlini C. (2015). The disease model of addiction. Is it supported by evidence and has it delivered on its promises? Lancet Psychiatry, 2 (1), 105-110. Doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(14)00126-6.
This article challenges the use of brain disease model of addiction (BDMA) with the authors stating that it is a way of weakening the addicts. The article further states that the model is not supported by animals and neuroimaging evidence to the extent advocated by its proponents. The depiction of addiction as a disease makes it difficult to discourage people from using some substances, such as tobacco.
Heather, N. (2017). Is addiction a disease or just a moral failing? A: Neither. Neuroethics, 10 (1), 115-124. Doi: 10.1007/s12152-016-9289-0
This article proposes the adoption of scientific account in which addiction is neither a disease nor a moral problem. The public should be made to understand that the brain disease model of addiction is not the only way through which to prevent the stigmatization of addiction. Considering it a disorder of choice would also not be sufficient. A third stage interpretation is necessary as per the proposal of Marc Lewis.
Kennett, J., Matthews, S. & Snoek, A. (2013). Pleasure and addiction. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 25 (4), 117. Doi: 10.3389//fpsyt.2013.00117
This article presents addiction as a strong appetite that arises for the need for pleasure. It, therefore, reinforces the claim that addiction is a condition of one’s choice rather than a disease. While the life of addicts is prone to disapproval from the society due to its association with a search for pleasure, Kennett and his colleagues argue that an individual has the autonomy to devote his or her life to pleasure.
Levy, N. (2013). Addiction is not a brain disease (and it matters). Frontiers in Psychiatry, 4, 24. Doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00024
This article presents the view that addiction is not an illness but a disorder. The use of brain disease to define addiction is presented as misleading. Though addiction yields brain dysfunction, it does not sufficiently fit in the category of a disease since it does not lead to the impairment that is a characteristic of most brain diseases.
National Institute of Health (2010). Is drug addiction a mental illness? National Institute of Drug Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/comorbidity-addiction-other-mental-illnesses/drug-addiction-mental-illness
This article demonstrates how addiction becomes an illness by present drug addiction as an illness that affects the brain functionality. The consequences of drug addiction are likened to the outcomes of any other mental illnesses that an individual may experience while not in drug use. The article also posits that addiction makes various changes to the brain thus disrupting the normal hierarchy of one’s needs.
Satel, S. & Lilienfield, S. O. (2014). Addiction and the brain-disease fallacy. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 4. Doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00141
This article presents addiction as something that is controllable and, therefore, not a disease. The authors are of the view that addiction is a disorder as it is founded on the release of dopamine which stimulates one to engage in the repetitive behavior of using something or engaging in some kind of pleasure. This engagement is not out of liking but a need or desire.
Snoek, A. (2017). How to recover from a brain disease. Is addiction a disease, or is there a disease-like stage in addiction? Neuroethics, 10 (1), 185-194. Doi: 10.1007/s12152-017-9312-0
This article challenges the brain disease model of addiction with the author arguing that the model depicts addicts as damaged brains rather than agents. He proposes the idea of considering addiction as a condition that reaches a disease-like stage rather than categorizing it as a disease. This would enable addicts to develop the trait of self-control which is critical to their recovery.
Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., McLellan, T. (2016). Neurobiological advances from the brain disease model of addiction. The New England Journal of Medicine, 374, 363-371. Doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1511480.
This article reinforces the claims of the brain disease model of addiction which holds the view that addiction is a disease. The authors argue that if addiction is not a disease, then it is an outcome of a disease process as it affects the brain the day to day endeavors of an individual. Neuroscience offers the best explanations in alignment with the disruption of the decision making capacity and emotional balance depicted by addicts.
