To me, when my son was addicted, he wasn't ill, he was an out-of-control, self-absorbed teenager who was looking for a good time and didn't care who he hurt.ĭuring the question-and-answer segment of a lecture I attended about addiction, a father of an alcoholic raised his hand to speak. To me, the adherents of the disease theory were apologists for addicts (often they were addicts) who were attempting to rationalize and excuse outrageous, unconscionable behavior, hedonism, and debauchery. Still later, I heard it espoused by therapists and counselors. Later, I heard it at other rehabs and at AA meetings. When my son was addicted, I heard the so-called disease theory in a lecture at a rehab where he was being treated. I understand those who reject the notion that addiction is a disease because I used to be one of them.

There's another essential reason why we must understand that addiction is an illness and not just bad behavior: We punish bad behavior. Accepting that addiction is an illness will transform our approach to public policy, research, insurance, and criminality it will change how we feel about addicts, and how they feel about themselves. It's critical if we're going to effectively prevent and treat addiction. Once and for all, people must understand that addiction is a disease. The transformation defies logic - until you understand that your loved one is gravely ill with a brain disease that's debilitating, chronic, progressive, and, if left untreated, often fatal.

UNLESS YOU'VE BEEN THERE, you can't imagine what it's like to watch helplessly as someone you love descends into addiction.

Book clean by david sheff