As the article states, “addiction is an activity whose course can be altered by its foreseeable consequences.” Real brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s which is mentioned in the article, are not alterable by the person. Medication may be able to slow the process, but in the end that disease will take over and win. Addiction is not a brain disease because it is not like Alzheimer’s in this way. Addicts have “the capacity for self-governance” through their own decisions and incentives. Many addicts have moments of clear thought where they realize all the negatives that are coming from their addiction, and many of those people choose to take the incentive and make a change. The road is long and hard, but it is still achievable. A disease cannot be controlled in this way, and thus addiction is not a brain disease. Those that claim that addiction is a brain disease know of this term’s shortcomings, as pointed out in the article, and that point gives that much more support to the fact that addiction is not a brain disease but a handicap.
No I do not beleive that addiction is a brain disease. As the article stated "drugs operate at the level of the brain," but that doesnt mean that it is a disease. When I think of the term "disease" I think of something that cannot be controlled or stopped that is occuring within someone that is not caused by their actions. Addiction is something that is caused by a person making the decision to start bad habbits and continue them. It is true that at a certain point their addiction may take over and it will become somewhat of a necessity in thier daily lives but that does not classify it as a disease in my mind. Adiiction is not a brain disease.
I agree with your definition of disease and I also like the way you explain that addiction becomes a necessity but that does not make them a disease. I think it is a really good point.
In my opinion, addiction is not a brain disease. A person become addicted because he or she made the choice to behave in an auto-destructive way. However, as far as my knowledge in the field goes, brain diseases have never started in such a volunteer way. Moreover, the article shows data that reinforces the differences among our topics, because addiction can be controlled by reinforcing favorable behaviors or punishing unfavorable, which doesn't work at all with actual illness. The article also states: "No amount of reinforcement or punishment can alter the course of an entirely autonomous biological condition", understanding autonomous biological condition as brain disease.
I totally agree with your statement "he or she made the choice to behave in an auto-destructive way." It validates your point and I believe that the key difference between disease and addiction which is addiction begins as a choice whereas disease does not.
I like how you stated, "...brain diseases have never started in such a volunteer way." That point is a great one and really made me believe what you had to say. I completely agree with your points.
I agree that brain diseases don't start in a volunteer way, but the drugs alter the function and structure of the brain which is considered a brain disease.
From the article, I have read, it is clear that drug addiction is a brain disease. The author of the article claims, that all drug abuses, in most cases, started with a voluntarily introduction to them. The action of a drug abuse itself is psychological problem – individual started taking drugs due to some circumstances in his or life. The drug addiction is a truly a brain disease. The definition of drug disease is defined as chronic and relapsing brain disease, which has a doubtless scientific proof – it changes its structure and the way it works. Moreover, author explains us how do the drugs work in our brain. When drugs, such as opiates, enter the brain they act as natural neurotransmitters, causing abnormal reaction of the brain. Some of the drugs release enormous amounts of dopamine. When person starts to take drugs regularly, brain develops a tolerance. In tolerance, brain tries to lower the amount of dopamine, that makes the individual physiologically addicted to drugs, which “asks” him for a higher dose of drug, to make a balance in the organism. Now, we can claim, that drug abuse is a disease that was caused voluntarily.
I agree that drug addiction is a brain disease, but I can't agree that drug abuse is a disease that was caused voluntarily. I would bet money that at least 95% of the population that are addicted to drugs didn't/don't know that drugs cause brain disease.
You bring up some good points, like saying that drug abuse is a psychological problem by itself. On the other hand, I don't agree that drug addiction is a brain disease. I don't think that diseases are caused voluntarily, like addictions are.
Taner, I think that 95% of people who began taking drugs, realize that it would cause addiction. In this case addiction is caused due to the brain disease itself.
The aritcle states, "Addiction is tied to changes in brain structure and function, which is, fundamentally, a brain disease." Some drugs alter the functions of the brain. In addition, those drugs (and possibly other drugs) change the structure of the brain. The more the user abuses a drug, the higher the tolerance they will acquire with that drug. This means that the user will need a higher dosage of the drug to get the desired effect. Drugs can change the function and structure of the brain which, in conclusion, is considered a brain disease.
I see your points, but I disagree. If the drug abuse is voluntarily begun, then how can it be a brain disease as the definition is set by other known brain disease, such as Alzheimer's? A brain disease is something out of another's control, but drug abuse is a decision and can be altered by a decision. That's just my point of view.
I agree with Taner's point and here is why. To my mind addiction is caused by damaged brain work. As we all know that with continuous drug taking, person develops a tolerance and then body asks for more or higher doses of drug. That blinds and changes our motives.
I do not think that addiction is a brain disease. A that has the addiction knew that he/she was doing something bad to their body, and choose to do it anyway. Almost everyone that ever does drugs knows that they can be addictive, but yet they choose to do them anyways. The article stated that "drugs operate at the level of the brain." That being said, if a drug is causing the brain to alter at a different level then it would be a disease but since it is operating at the same level as the brain it isn't a disease. Many people who are addicted to something just want to have something to blame it for.
I like how you say that the person knows that what their doing is bad for their body and they still do it because it's true! I also like your last statement that people with an addiction just need an excuse.
The article does state that addiction is a brain disease because "Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain – they change its structure and how it works.” But in my opinion, I don’t believe that addiction is a brain disease. I don’t think it is a brain disease because addiction can be overcome with hard work, help from others and even rehabs. Brain diseases can’t be overcome. Also, addiction is brought on voluntarily and brain diseases are something no one chooses to have. I believe even though the article says that addiction is a brain disease, it really isn’t.
I agree with you when you say that addiction is self inflicted and brain diseases are something that no one chooses to have. It's an individuals decision to take drugs, while having a brain disease isn't.
After reading the article, I don't believe that addiction is a brain disease. To be a brain disease is something that you're born with or it happens in time without you having control of it. Even though the article states "drugs operate at the level of the brain," doesn't mean it's a disease, it just means that because the person allowed it into the body that it can function at that level. Furthermore I don't believe that addiction is a disease because a person can overcome the addiction with help, the want to get rid of the addiction, and hard work. Yes it might not be easy to overcome but it is possible.
I like how you mention that addiction isn't a brain disease because a person can overcome the addiction with help, aid and determination. While getting rid of a brain disease...that's a whole different story.
In a logical way, drug addiction is not brain disease. Diseases are illnesses that affect people, plants or animals. Drug addiction is self inflicted and people CHOOSE to do these drugs. Depending on the drug will depend on the level of addiction or malnutrition. The article in the "No" section by Sally Satel and Scott O. Lilienfeld states, "...addiction is tied to changes in brain structure and function is what makes it, fundamentally, a brain disease." The key word in this sentence is "fundamentally" because although it may have the basis of being a disease, the case may not be so. Would a doctor have much pity on man who attaches ticks to their body to obtain Lyme disease? Legally the doctor would provide medical attention but his sentiment for this crazed patient would be minimal. Similarly, addicts do not deserve the sentiment of call addiction a "disease."
I agree with your points. I also like how you also noticed another instance where the YES article contradicted itself, it did that a couple times that I saw.
I have to disagree. In AA there are 12 steps one of which would be to get over the metal block saying "I want a drink,", "I want a smoke," when these peoples body's are done needing it. When these people only want a smoke because it was a comfort aspect in their lives.
After reading the article "The Science of Addiction" I have concluded that addiction is not a brain disease. People choose to use and abuse these drugs, they are the ones to make that decision. A disease is something that you can't necessarily control and in a way a "illness". On page 2 and the section "How Do Drugs Work in the Brain?" it states- "Drugs are chemicals. They work in the brain by tapping into the brain's communication system and interfering with they way the nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information." To me this is saying the drugs alter the way the brain works. When abusing drugs, one shouldn't believe that they have a brain disease by the way the drug alters their brain. Again, it's that individuals decision.
I understand where you're coming from with your point on someone voluntarily consuming drugs, but they loose their control over their body's physiological and physical needs, against their will. Once the brain adapts to the dopamine surges caused by the drugs, the person can't control the changes. Thus,becoming a brain disease. Of course there is way more contributing but it becomes a disease when you're no longer in control.
If you are not in control over your addiction then how come people can go to rehab and get rid of the addiction? People have control over to stop using drugs, it just takes a lot of effort for them to do so. If a person has cancer they can't just get rid of it by going to rehab.
I do not think addiction is a brain disease. A disease is defined as, "an uncontrollable condition that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms." Addiction is defined as, "A compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal." A disease is not a choice and you aren't surrounded with all the treatment options addicts have. People don't choose to have a disease, where as addicts choose to compulsively abuse a substance they know is harmful to their bodies. However instead of getting treatment they continue using the substance which then leads to their addiction. According to the article addicts have “the capacity for self-governance” through their own decisions and incentives, if they would have gotten treatment they would have prevented the "disease" In my opinion it's just an addiction, not a disease.
After reading both articles, I believe that the NO article makes more substantial arguments than those of the YES article. I also agree with the NO article based on my personal opinion as well. In the YES article, it contradicts itself. An example of this is when it says that, "The initial decision to take drugs is mostly voluntary." First of all, it's a decision, no duh it's going to be voluntary, but "mostly" voluntary? Come on people, pick a side. In the NO article it states, "NO amount of reinforcement or punishment can alter the course of an entirely autonomous biological condition." That is a fact. Drug addiction can be cured, not with more drugs, but by realization and self-reproach. It all goes back to what starts addiction and what starts a disease. No one is going to choose to give themselves a brain disease, but people choose to keep abusing drugs everyday.
I do think drug addiction is a disease. Although initial drug use maybe voluntary, once addiction develops, the control over the person's life is completely disrupted. With the intake of drugs, the body has a need, dependency on them. Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease that results from the long term effects on the brain. I believe that such as many other brain diseases, addiction has embedded itself in changing the brain. Once the person takes drugs, their lives revolve around satisfying the physiological and physical needs provided by the drugs. It all goes back to the consumption of drugs being a disorder itself. Drugs addiction, to me is a brain disease.
I believe that addiction is a disease is in fact a mental disease. People who have had brain damage sometimes shows that it is hard for people to stop an addiction or makes it nearly impossible. People can be given drugs to help fix the problem of addiction. Some of the effect the physical addictions but there are drugs like "Chantix" which mutes receptors in the brain to make smoking less pleasurable. I believe that this proves that at least some part of addictions are in the brain. I can believe that not all of it is in the brain but a majority of it is in the brain. That is why medications effect the brain and not the part of the body where the addictive substance is taken in.
As the article states, “addiction is an activity whose course can be altered by its foreseeable consequences.” Real brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s which is mentioned in the article, are not alterable by the person. Medication may be able to slow the process, but in the end that disease will take over and win. Addiction is not a brain disease because it is not like Alzheimer’s in this way. Addicts have “the capacity for self-governance” through their own decisions and incentives. Many addicts have moments of clear thought where they realize all the negatives that are coming from their addiction, and many of those people choose to take the incentive and make a change. The road is long and hard, but it is still achievable. A disease cannot be controlled in this way, and thus addiction is not a brain disease. Those that claim that addiction is a brain disease know of this term’s shortcomings, as pointed out in the article, and that point gives that much more support to the fact that addiction is not a brain disease but a handicap.
ReplyDeleteYour comparison of addiction to a common disease such as Alzheimer's helped make your point clear and the differences easily comparable.
DeleteThanks! I thought that point was very convincing in the articles and just had to include it.
DeleteNo I do not beleive that addiction is a brain disease. As the article stated "drugs operate at the level of the brain," but that doesnt mean that it is a disease. When I think of the term "disease" I think of something that cannot be controlled or stopped that is occuring within someone that is not caused by their actions. Addiction is something that is caused by a person making the decision to start bad habbits and continue them. It is true that at a certain point their addiction may take over and it will become somewhat of a necessity in thier daily lives but that does not classify it as a disease in my mind. Adiiction is not a brain disease.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your definition of disease and I also like the way you explain that addiction becomes a necessity but that does not make them a disease. I think it is a really good point.
DeleteIn my opinion, addiction is not a brain disease. A person become addicted because he or she made the choice to behave in an auto-destructive way. However, as far as my knowledge in the field goes, brain diseases have never started in such a volunteer way. Moreover, the article shows data that reinforces the differences among our topics, because addiction can be controlled by reinforcing favorable behaviors or punishing unfavorable, which doesn't work at all with actual illness. The article also states: "No amount of reinforcement or punishment can alter the course of an entirely autonomous biological condition", understanding autonomous biological condition as brain disease.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your statement "he or she made the choice to behave in an auto-destructive way." It validates your point and I believe that the key difference between disease and addiction which is addiction begins as a choice whereas disease does not.
DeleteI like how you stated, "...brain diseases have never started in such a volunteer way." That point is a great one and really made me believe what you had to say. I completely agree with your points.
DeleteI agree that brain diseases don't start in a volunteer way, but the drugs alter the function and structure of the brain which is considered a brain disease.
DeleteFrom the article, I have read, it is clear that drug addiction is a brain disease. The author of the article claims, that all drug abuses, in most cases, started with a voluntarily introduction to them.
ReplyDeleteThe action of a drug abuse itself is psychological problem – individual started taking drugs due to some circumstances in his or life. The drug addiction is a truly a brain disease. The definition of drug disease is defined as chronic and relapsing brain disease, which has a doubtless scientific proof – it changes its structure and the way it works. Moreover, author explains us how do the drugs work in our brain. When drugs, such as opiates, enter the brain they act as natural neurotransmitters, causing abnormal reaction of the brain. Some of the drugs release enormous amounts of dopamine. When person starts to take drugs regularly, brain develops a tolerance. In tolerance, brain tries to lower the amount of dopamine, that makes the individual physiologically addicted to drugs, which “asks” him for a higher dose of drug, to make a balance in the organism. Now, we can claim, that drug abuse is a disease that was caused voluntarily.
I agree that drug addiction is a brain disease, but I can't agree that drug abuse is a disease that was caused voluntarily. I would bet money that at least 95% of the population that are addicted to drugs didn't/don't know that drugs cause brain disease.
DeleteYou bring up some good points, like saying that drug abuse is a psychological problem by itself. On the other hand, I don't agree that drug addiction is a brain disease. I don't think that diseases are caused voluntarily, like addictions are.
DeleteTaner, I think that 95% of people who began taking drugs, realize that it would cause addiction. In this case addiction is caused due to the brain disease itself.
DeleteThe aritcle states, "Addiction is tied to changes in brain structure and function, which is, fundamentally, a brain disease." Some drugs alter the functions of the brain. In addition, those drugs (and possibly other drugs) change the structure of the brain. The more the user abuses a drug, the higher the tolerance they will acquire with that drug. This means that the user will need a higher dosage of the drug to get the desired effect. Drugs can change the function and structure of the brain which, in conclusion, is considered a brain disease.
ReplyDeleteI see your points, but I disagree. If the drug abuse is voluntarily begun, then how can it be a brain disease as the definition is set by other known brain disease, such as Alzheimer's? A brain disease is something out of another's control, but drug abuse is a decision and can be altered by a decision. That's just my point of view.
DeleteI disagree with your point, even though there a really valid point. I agree with Baylee when she says that a decision cannot be a brain disease.
DeleteI agree with Taner's point and here is why. To my mind addiction is caused by damaged brain work. As we all know that with continuous drug taking, person develops a tolerance and then body asks for more or higher doses of drug. That blinds and changes our motives.
DeleteI do not think that addiction is a brain disease. A that has the addiction knew that he/she was doing something bad to their body, and choose to do it anyway. Almost everyone that ever does drugs knows that they can be addictive, but yet they choose to do them anyways. The article stated that "drugs operate at the level of the brain." That being said, if a drug is causing the brain to alter at a different level then it would be a disease but since it is operating at the same level as the brain it isn't a disease. Many people who are addicted to something just want to have something to blame it for.
ReplyDeleteI like how you say that the person knows that what their doing is bad for their body and they still do it because it's true! I also like your last statement that people with an addiction just need an excuse.
DeleteThe article does state that addiction is a brain disease because "Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain – they change its structure and how it works.” But in my opinion, I don’t believe that addiction is a brain disease. I don’t think it is a brain disease because addiction can be overcome with hard work, help from others and even rehabs. Brain diseases can’t be overcome. Also, addiction is brought on voluntarily and brain diseases are something no one chooses to have. I believe even though the article says that addiction is a brain disease, it really isn’t.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that it is not a disease because it can be overcome with hard work and help!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that addiction is self inflicted and brain diseases are something that no one chooses to have. It's an individuals decision to take drugs, while having a brain disease isn't.
DeleteAfter reading the article, I don't believe that addiction is a brain disease. To be a brain disease is something that you're born with or it happens in time without you having control of it. Even though the article states "drugs operate at the level of the brain," doesn't mean it's a disease, it just means that because the person allowed it into the body that it can function at that level. Furthermore I don't believe that addiction is a disease because a person can overcome the addiction with help, the want to get rid of the addiction, and hard work. Yes it might not be easy to overcome but it is possible.
ReplyDeleteI like how you mention that addiction isn't a brain disease because a person can overcome the addiction with help, aid and determination. While getting rid of a brain disease...that's a whole different story.
DeleteIn a logical way, drug addiction is not brain disease. Diseases are illnesses that affect people, plants or animals. Drug addiction is self inflicted and people CHOOSE to do these drugs. Depending on the drug will depend on the level of addiction or malnutrition. The article in the "No" section by Sally Satel and Scott O. Lilienfeld states, "...addiction is tied to changes in brain structure and function is what makes it, fundamentally, a brain disease." The key word in this sentence is "fundamentally" because although it may have the basis of being a disease, the case may not be so. Would a doctor have much pity on man who attaches ticks to their body to obtain Lyme disease? Legally the doctor would provide medical attention but his sentiment for this crazed patient would be minimal. Similarly, addicts do not deserve the sentiment of call addiction a "disease."
ReplyDeleteI agree with your points. I also like how you also noticed another instance where the YES article contradicted itself, it did that a couple times that I saw.
DeleteI have to disagree. In AA there are 12 steps one of which would be to get over the metal block saying "I want a drink,", "I want a smoke," when these peoples body's are done needing it. When these people only want a smoke because it was a comfort aspect in their lives.
DeleteAfter reading the article "The Science of Addiction" I have concluded that addiction is not a brain disease. People choose to use and abuse these drugs, they are the ones to make that decision. A disease is something that you can't necessarily control and in a way a "illness". On page 2 and the section "How Do Drugs Work in the Brain?" it states- "Drugs are chemicals. They work in the brain by tapping into the brain's communication system and interfering with they way the nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information." To me this is saying the drugs alter the way the brain works. When abusing drugs, one shouldn't believe that they have a brain disease by the way the drug alters their brain. Again, it's that individuals decision.
ReplyDeleteI understand where you're coming from with your point on someone voluntarily consuming drugs, but they loose their control over their body's physiological and physical needs, against their will. Once the brain adapts to the dopamine surges caused by the drugs, the person can't control the changes. Thus,becoming a brain disease. Of course there is way more contributing but it becomes a disease when you're no longer in control.
DeleteIf you are not in control over your addiction then how come people can go to rehab and get rid of the addiction? People have control over to stop using drugs, it just takes a lot of effort for them to do so. If a person has cancer they can't just get rid of it by going to rehab.
DeleteI do not think addiction is a brain disease. A disease is defined as, "an uncontrollable condition that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms." Addiction is defined as, "A compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal." A disease is not a choice and you aren't surrounded with all the treatment options addicts have. People don't choose to have a disease, where as addicts choose to compulsively abuse a substance they know is harmful to their bodies. However instead of getting treatment they continue using the substance which then leads to their addiction. According to the article addicts have “the capacity for self-governance” through their own decisions and incentives, if they would have gotten treatment they would have prevented the "disease" In my opinion it's just an addiction, not a disease.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading both articles, I believe that the NO article makes more substantial arguments than those of the YES article. I also agree with the NO article based on my personal opinion as well. In the YES article, it contradicts itself. An example of this is when it says that, "The initial decision to take drugs is mostly voluntary." First of all, it's a decision, no duh it's going to be voluntary, but "mostly" voluntary? Come on people, pick a side. In the NO article it states, "NO amount of reinforcement or punishment can alter the course of an entirely autonomous biological condition." That is a fact. Drug addiction can be cured, not with more drugs, but by realization and self-reproach. It all goes back to what starts addiction and what starts a disease. No one is going to choose to give themselves a brain disease, but people choose to keep abusing drugs everyday.
ReplyDeleteI do think drug addiction is a disease. Although initial drug use maybe voluntary, once addiction develops, the control over the person's life is completely disrupted. With the intake of drugs, the body has a need, dependency on them. Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease that results from the long term effects on the brain. I believe that such as many other brain diseases, addiction has embedded itself in changing the brain. Once the person takes drugs, their lives revolve around satisfying the physiological and physical needs provided by the drugs. It all goes back to the consumption of drugs being a disorder itself. Drugs addiction, to me is a brain disease.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree anymore. The initial use is a choice but everything after is in the brain.
DeleteI believe that addiction is a disease is in fact a mental disease. People who have had brain damage sometimes shows that it is hard for people to stop an addiction or makes it nearly impossible. People can be given drugs to help fix the problem of addiction. Some of the effect the physical addictions but there are drugs like "Chantix" which mutes receptors in the brain to make smoking less pleasurable. I believe that this proves that at least some part of addictions are in the brain. I can believe that not all of it is in the brain but a majority of it is in the brain. That is why medications effect the brain and not the part of the body where the addictive substance is taken in.
ReplyDelete