As many try to make sense of a loved one's behaviors surrounding their drinking or drug use, it is important to remember that addiction is an illness that must be treated
Addiction, or chemical dependence, is no longer regarded as an illness of the mind, but rather a true physical disease of the body. But why is it so important to recognize addiction to mind altering chemicals such as alcohol as a disease?
As a result of the accepted disease model of alcoholism and addiction, the stigma is slowly being lifted and many who were afraid to get help are now finding themselves able to reach out to doctors, family, and friends in hopes of an answer. At the same time, those close to the addicted are able to stop placing blame on themselves and realize that the disease in others is no more their fault than cancer would be.
Recognition as an illness also lends more help towards hope in helping those afflicted – a problem cannot be solved until it is understood. So is known about the disease of chemical dependence?
- It is a progressive illness; unless treated, it will continue to get worse
- It is often the condition that must be treated before any other ailments can be helped (i.e. liver disease, depression, ulcers, etc)
- It is ever-present – as of yet there is no cure for alcoholism or addiction, only various methods that help those in recovery put the disease in remission just as any other chronic illness.
- It is fatal. If left untreated, this disease will kill those affected directly or indirectly, but clearly cut their lives short as a result of chemical dependence.
From these basic facts we can learn that treatment is vital to those who suffer from chemical dependence. We can also see that in order to keep the disease at bay, a consistent effort must be made by those afflicted, just as with any other disease.
Whereas in the past many believed that the addict and alcoholic simply did not have the will or the personal moral fiber to face the facts and stop using, today even the public view is beginning to shift toward understanding this disease that has been on earth as long as there were mood altering substances to be found. In turn, this gives new hope, enabling many to now take better care of themselves as they struggle to live with this double-edged sword.
