Neither. It is a significant medical problem as the addict has a psychological dependence on a substance. Substance dependence or addiction is generally classified as a psychological problem.
Might just be an excuse to be able to keep on doing the addiction...but psychologiclly..there are many ramifications to it...some think of it as a disease and some think of it as just an addiction...(could be just an excuse to keep doing it..the drug or whatever the case may be) there are cures...only if it is accepted or wanted to be acknowledged......by the abuser..
There are many drugs that once used for a short period of time cause a physical dependence. Once this happens the individual must dig deep within themselves to over come the addiction. Some of these people can find it within themselves to overcome others don;t and are like one of my sisters who is in prison still others end up dead. I know many of these. Or I should say too many of these. Drug usage is usually caused when one is trying to escape from reality, but it is likely that some of these people have underlying mental health issues that have not been properly addressed and use Illegal drugs in an attempt to cope. Which never works. While calling it a disease would be hard to prove, it does seem that many are either unwilling or unable to control their addiction once it has happened. These drugs offset the chemical balance in the brain and it is often difficult to reestablish a normal balance once this occurs.
The actual meaning of disease is "an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions". In the current usage it has been used as a synonym for anything wrong with the body, such as an addiction.
Addiction is a real condition that is brought about when the body develops a physical and mental dependency to a certain substance caused by a temporary alteration in the chemical make up in the brain, which requires periodic reapplication to continue the process.
Social addiction is similar, with the alteration in the chemical make up in the brain brought about by an action, such as stealing (kleptomania) or gambling, or playing computer/video games.
Both types of addiction are very real, in that they have measurable effects on the brain.
Both, its a vicious cycle. The addict engages in the behavior, enjoys it, then begins to spend each waking moment thinking about it. Then it is a disease. But the addict keeps on until he hits the bottom, and often doesn't stop then. A few recover, but I've seen more just get deeper into whatever their addiction is. The ones I've seen recover the most successfully are alcoholics. The ones addicted to drugs just do without until they can find more. It is not considered by the government to be a disease, because addicts cannot draw Social Security disability for it.
It's an excuse! I'm a reformed crackhead...I spent $92,000 in under a year, and the only way to get it out of your life is to decide you want to live a little longer! The woman I was with is dead, and the only reason she's dead is because she didn't listen to me...I lost my baby daughter because of it! Don't let it happen to anybody you love (if you really care about them)!
The lust of the flesh starts with trying any thing that's addictive. Then the person likes it and keeps doing more Until the addiction turns into a disease (liver, lungs, tummy, STD's) depending what caused it. I'm addicted to breathing, but still gonna die.
As a recovering alcoholic (40 years sober, this year), I can tell you unequivocally, that alcohol addiction is a legitimate disease, as is an addiction to nicotine. I quit smoking permanently, in 1979.
It is never a good idea to make light of addictions, my friend.
