[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Zippy

No it is not. You're being simplistic as usual.

A disease requires medical intervention.

Millions of addicts have weened themselves off smoking, drinking, drugs etc without any help from doctors, counsellors or outside intervention. They do so by altering their own psychology and applying self discipline. You don't cure diseases like this. Addiction is often a habit gotten out of control. Its a psychological behavioural pattern that can certainly lead to medical diseases. But in itself it is not a disease.

I think addicts like to call it a disease to somehow make themselves look less responsible for their actions. It becomes less of a stigma. Truth is, many addicts just do not have the willpower or determination to end their addiction. This is where calling it a disease comes in very handy...

by your logic cancer is not a medical disease eigther then, because many people claim to have cured themselves through holistic herbal rememdies and stuff.

Addiction has nothing to do with willpower. Addiction is like diabetes. you can manage it through a strict regime, but it is incredibly difficult. But you cannot choose to be an addict, just like you cannot choose to be a diabetic.