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Faustina Boateng

Professor Judy Hampel

English 101

25 October 2018

Addiction Is a Disease

Today, the use of alcohol and illegal drugs is very common among adolescents. Many

find April 20th, commonly known as 4/20, a day of celebration for smoking marijuana. Many

people believe that drug abuse is a disease, arguing that an addict cannot recover without

treatment. On the contrary, others claim that addiction should not be classified as a disease

because it was that individual’s choice to use narcotics. Substance abuse is both a physical and

psychological problem that can turn an addict’s world upside down. The nation must take in a

new understanding that substance abuse is a disease. Substance abuse is defined as the

uncontrolled use of drugs for unethical purposes, regardless of the possible health risk and long-

term effects. Generally, drug abuse as criminal and weak but is it really a choice or disease?

The Oxford Dictionary describes disease as, “a disorder of structure or function in a

human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific

location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury.” Dependence for drugs becomes

evident when the body adapts to the effects thus, developing a tolerance. Many people choose to

look at the positive effects of weed to justify their use. Being intoxicated can bring effects such

as, euphoria, relaxation, decreased anxiety, and enhanced sensory experiences. To continue

feeling these symptoms some begin to rely heavily on drugs. According to the National Institute

on Drug Abuse, “drug addiction is a complex disease and quitting usually takes more than good

intentions or strong will”. Complex diseases are caused by a combination of environmental,

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genetic, and lifestyle factors. Addiction is classified as a disease by most medical workers

including the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Society of Addiction

Medicine (ASAM). The AMA was founded in 1847 and is the largest association of physicians

in the United States currently. Their mission is “to promote the art and science of medicine and

betterment of public health” (AMA). In the AMA’s current report on science and public health,

they state that other than the underage illegal use of alcohol and tobacco, marijuana is the most

commonly used illegal drug.

Marijuana is one of the oldest drugs in American history. In fact, it was first grown by

Jamestown settlers in the 1600s.

Marijuana plantations flourished

during the 19th century and became a

major source of revenue for the United

States. Marijuana was originally used

as a medical drug from 1850 to 1937

then became an alternative to alcohol

after the price rose. Today, the CDC

states, “38% of high school students

report having used marijuana in their

Figure One
life”.

Marijuana wasn’t the only substance in the early 1800s whose purpose was to help people

but then turned into an addictive drug. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that

testosterone was medically used to treat depression in 1935. By 1980, young men were using

these substances to improve personal appearance and enhance their athletic performance.
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Alila Medical Media states that addiction is a neurological disorder that affects the

reward system in the brain function. The reward system of the brain makes the activity of

anything enjoyable and memorable which will make a person want to continue doing that

activity. Substance abuse interferes with this process, turning the natural needs into drug needs.

The long-term use of alcohol and drugs slowly changes the chemical balance in a person's brain.

These neurological changes majorly impact the user over time by the way he/she thinks and acts.

Although it was their choice to participate in drug use, after time, the brain is only relying on the

drug to survive — thus becoming a disease. A person cannot control an addiction if they have a

neurological disorder/disease. The National Drug Intelligence Center estimates that the cost of

substance abuse (productivity and health) and crime-related activities exceeds over $600 billion

annually. In the United States, substance abuse is a factor in 25% of deaths.

A feature written by the New York Time told a story about a son and his overdosing

problem. Patrick Griffin was 34 years old that lived in Pembroke, New Hampshire. One

afternoon in May was the first time Patrick overdosed. Luckily, he was found breathing by his

father and sister around 1:30 pm. Patrick’s father was worn out from constantly addressing

Patrick’s heroin and fentanyl addiction and wanted it to stop. Patrick was not happy with the

confrontation and lashed out. He sliced a loveseat, smashed a glass bowl, kicked and broke a side

table, then threatened to kill himself. Sometime after 3:00 pm, he slipped into the bathroom to

inject the substance and overdosed again. This time Patrick fell limp, turned blue and lost

consciousness. An ambulance was called, and the paramedics revived him with Narcan (an

antidote that reverses opioid overdoses). Around 4:00 pm, Patrick slipped away and injected for

the third time, once again overdosing. The paramedics came and revived him this time taking

him to the hospital. Patrick checked himself out, although around 7:30 pm he overdosed for the
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fourth time. The paramedics came for the third time and administered three doses of Narcan.

Patrick has been dealing with this addiction since he was 14 years of age. Though it doesn’t state

how he got into the mix of drugs, it is obvious that addiction took over. Patrick stopping his

addiction on his own will be a very tough task. Reason being the reward system in his brain has

grown dependent on the drugs. Patrick will go through withdrawal symptoms which may

include, fatigue, sweating, vomiting, depression, seizures anxiety and hallucinations (Mayo

Clinic). The withdrawal process for any addiction is brutal for most, Desert Hope states "In one

study of people who were admitted to a hospital with alcohol withdrawal syndrome, more than

71 percent of them presented with the DTs, (delirium tremens) and 6.6 percent died.” Many at

times the start of an addiction is due to peer pressure.

Peer pressure can happen to anyone at any stage of life. Many at times people are

pressured into trying drugs, most common in the lives of adolescents. Around these time, teens

are figuring out who they are and where they fit

in. Insecurities are high and the determination to

be accepted and liked by others often causes teens

to give in to the pressure. The judgment that

comes with saying “no” plagues fear into teens.

Instead of being labeled as boring or lame, which

can sometimes cause humiliation, a teen would

rather do whatever it takes to fit in. The eagerness

to try new things and explore the world became

Figure Two
stronger as adolescents age.
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The use of drugs during the brain development of adolescents has been shown to be

detrimental. Studies were done by the U.S National Library of Medicine also explained that drug

used during brain development may be the reason adolescents make risky decisions which can

lead to safety or health concerns. Drugs affect one’s health triangle which consists of; mental,

social and physical health. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, most people who are addicted

to drugs are also diagnosed with other mental disorders. When compared to the general

population, people addicted to drugs are twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and mood

disorders. Health problems like depression, developmental lags, and withdrawal, is linked to

substance abuse among adolescents. Substance abuse can affect the main body systems. People

who abuse drugs put themselves at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and any other bodily fluid

transmitted diseases. Socially, close friends and family may not want to interact with the user

due to their behavioral changes. They begin isolating themselves from spending time with those

who are also addicted.

The start of one’s substance abuse will always begin with the choice to use. Eventually, it

becomes a disease as the brain becomes dependent on the drug. Instead of blaming and batting

an eye, the nation should help addicted users. According to the American Addiction Centers,

“About one out of every six American young adults (between the ages of 18 and 25) battled a

substance use disorder in 2014, NSDUH This represents the highest percentage out of any age

group at 16.3 percent.”

Substance abuse is a physical and psychological problem affecting many of us today; it is

also a disease. Although many have argued that substance abuse is a choice and calling it a

disease is giving users an excuse, there are many scientific reasons linking it to a disease. We all
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can help addicts by taking things one step at a time, starting by understand where they’re coming

from.
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Work Cited

“Mental Health and Substance Abuse.” Mental Health and Substance Abuse, USA Gov, 5 June

2018, www.usa.gov/mental-health-substance-abuse.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Understanding Drug Use and Addiction.” NIDA, July 2018,

www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Four: The Reward Pathway.” NIDA,

www.drugabuse.gov/publications/teaching-packets/understanding-drug-abuse-

addiction/section-i/4-reward-pathway. Figure One

Oster, Robyn. “Understanding the Difference between Physical Dependence and Addiction.”

Center on Addiction, 19 Apr. 2018, www.centeronaddiction.org/the-buzz-

blog/understanding-difference-between-physical-dependence-and-addiction.

Seelye, Katharine Q. “One Son, Four Overdoses, Six Hours.” The New York Times, The New

York Times, 21 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/01/21/us/opioid-addiction-treatment-

families.html.

“English Dictionary, Thesaurus, Grammar Help | Oxford Dictionaries.” Oxford Dictionaries |

English, Oxford Dictionaries, en.oxforddictionaries.com/.

“American Medical Association | AMA. “Selecting & Using a Health Information Exchange |

AMA, www.ama-assn.org/.

“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/.

Media, Alila Medical. “Mechanism of Drug Addiction in the Brain, Animation.” YouTube,

YouTube, 10 Sept. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxHNxmJv2bQ.

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