X

Omega Mind

 
Addiction: Disease Or Choice?

Addiction: Disease Or Choice?

Members of the Alcoholics Anonymous and Addiction communities frequently argue amongst one another over the question of whether addiction is more accurately characterized as a medical disease or as an affliction caused by choices made by those with weak wills and character defects. Such arguments, sometimes heated in nature, remind me of the Nature vs. Nurture arguments I heard in college psychology class.

Support For Both Arguments

The 'alcoholism is a disease' camp finds significant footing in the founding principles outlined in AA’s bedrock book, Alcoholics Anonymous. But in truth, the 12-step AA community rather neatly endorses either side of the argument, depending on the ‘objective du jour.’

Disease vs. Choice: Which Is More Beneficial?

Addiction As A Disease

When diminishing guilt takes center stage, then identifying addiction as a disease is beneficial because surely no one is reasonably responsible for having a disease (never mind cigarette smoking lung cancer victims).

Addiction As A Choice

When inspiring recovery is the objective at hand, choice takes center stage, because without choice, without robust devotion to taking the third step in recovery, there can be no meaningful decision to turn one’s will over to that of a higher power, which is the very foundation for 12-step recovery.

Alcoholism And Appreciating Risk Factors

When the topic of concern involves appreciating risk factors associated with Alcoholism, for example, then it is useful to pivot back to the disease model; after all, those in the know ought to be concerned by inheritance patterns that emphasize genetic risk factors. Yet the disease model has nothing meaningful to say to recovering alcoholics about the decision they must make regarding making direct amends to those they have harmed if they expect to sustain recovery.

Addiction And Insurance Agencies

Which camp do you suppose is more likely to compel insurance agencies to expand their coverage and Congress to allocate more funding to the cause? ‘Hey guys, we have more and more people making bad decisions so we need more and more money please,’ verses: ‘Guys, if we just had more money, we’d find that Addiction, like Alzheimer’s, is sure to prove treatable with novel medications.’ On the flip side, which makes more sense: sustained recovery from addiction results in the choice to take 12-steps and get a sponsor, verses, sustained recovery from addiction derives from choosing to take steps and get a sponsor?

All Or Nothing Views

It is no surprise that both sides are able to cite facts that support their camp and weaken the opposing view, given the all or none, black verses white thinking that causes the distortion in the first place. Sooner or later, however, as in the case of organism verses environment, observers are forced to concede that both perspectives have something meritorious to contribute toward meaningful understanding.

An Incompatibility Principle

In truth, there is actually an Incompatibility Principle that applies when considering the interaction between two complex systems, such as organisms and environment, or cognitive processes verses genetic diseases—it tells us that the more precisely one focuses on the merits of one side of the perspective to the exclusion of the other, the less relevant one becomes when drawing conclusions about the whole system.

Share

Quotes

Destiny whispers, dreams inspire Charter our lives, Spirit on higher Woe to those who live belied Destiny's calling, no where to hide Omniscient the One who fuels our fire Create does He our truth’s desire Obstruct Him not is well advised, Save withered soul and heart decried Prayerfully hear the soft decree True to yourself, so must you be Create as you go, love with your might Nourish your spirit, your soul’s delight Worship ye humbly, Love ye most Sublimity’s Temple, Divinity’s Host

Real trouble, lasting disappointment, or serious defeat comes if and only after one’s misguided self-concept presumes fully to displace the true governing power that is the central spirit nucleus of our personality.

— Adapted from the Urantia Papers

When the beauty of this truth first embraced my heart, I literally laughed with such joy I cried. For those of us who fail repeatedly and spectacularly, it is staggeringly ironic, gloriously funny and Positively Divine!

‘Physical energy is the one reality which is true and steadfast in its obedience to universal law. As the mind of any personality in the universe becomes more spiritual, or Godlike, it becomes less responsive to material gravity. Mind is the technique whereby spirit realities become experiential to creature personalities. True spirit is not subject to physical gravity but eventually becomes the motivating influence of all evolving energy systems of personality dignity. The goal of existence of all personalities is spirit. On paradise, the three energies, physical, mindal, and spiritual, are co-ordinate. In evolutionary cosmos energy-matter is dominant except in personality, where spirit, through the mediation of mind, is striving for the mastery. Spirit is unchanging, and therefore in all personality relations, it transcends both mind and matter. Consciousness of divinity is a progressive spiritual experience.’

— Adapted from the Urantia Papers

It is delightfully thought provoking to contemplate what kind of intelligence is capable of producing such succinct, intuitively flawless and convincingly authoritative commentary?

Contact Us Today

Disclaimer: This e-mail is not for urgent or emergent issues, as this email is not checked during non-business hours. No medical advice will be given via e-mail or website contact. If you are having a medical emergency, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

  • *
  • *
  • *

ABOUT OMEGA HEALTHCARE

Omega Health Services has been serving the Treasure Valley community with quality mental healthcare since 1997. It has been our endeavor to bring to you the best psychiatric services available at affordable costs during hours that accommodate your schedule.

Boise Mental Health

PAY MY BILL

If you are planning to pay your Omega Bill, you can fill out the form linked below. We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, and American Express. We are also able to take your payments over the phone if paying by credit card.

Email Us: Click Here

PAY ONLINE >

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Our mental health professionals can provide care to individuals experiencing virtually any mental health condition. If you or a loved one is dealing with life altering mental health symptoms we have treatments that can help. Contact our office for an appointment.

GENERAL & URGENT CONTACT INFO