Disease of Addiction ... Is addiction really a disease or not?

In today’s society people who excessively drink alcohol, use drugs or even commit a crime while under the influence, are labeled as diseased. They are told that their disease has no cure and the only treatment is 12 step meetings. These people come to believe that they have no power or control over whether or not they relapse, and punish themselves by the way they view themselves and their current situation. By believing they are sick, they become hopeless and wait for someone or something to help them because they are taught that no one can do it alone. These ideas are not true.

Here at The St. Jude Executive Retreat our guests learn the truth about substance and alcohol abuse – they are choices not diseases. There is no disease that causes someone to consume alcohol or drugs excessively. These behaviors stem from mainly poor choice making. Being that this lifestyle is a choice means that one can change at anytime. First, making the choice to change and second, staying committed to that choice will not only improve ones quality of life but will bring them the happiness they have been searching for. Empowerment is key to creating a new productive and successful lifestyle. Exploring ones talents and desires will start them on a new path filled with achievements, great and small. Would you rather be sick and powerless or successful and happy? As all things in life, that is your choice.

Research proves that very few people who use drugs or alcohol will ever become “addicted”. People who do become excessive drug or alcohol abusers are most likely to mature out of it without any “treatment”. Once provided with the excuse that they have a disease and cannot control themselves, the substance or alcohol abusers chances of getting sober then decrease.