Is drug addiction a choice?

Question

Is drug addiction a choice?

Answer 1

drug or alcohol use? yes,

addiction to the substance?

no. once the person has reached the point where the chemical has control they've lost the power to choose whether they use it or not.

That said each day it is a choice whether to use or not use. I've made that choice for 22+ years to not use. I do not believe I would be able to do that without the help of an active sober life in AA ..

Addicts are given points at which the choice may be able to define whether they stop or not. These "points" are called "bottoms" points at which the addict looks at their life and says "i can't do this anymore"..

Some don't make that decision, some go on using and die in the throws of addiction, some reach that point and see no way and put a gun to their head, some have assistance from a caring family who get the addict help, and some addicts decide, I need to seek out help.

I believe that without help, recovery is not possible. I do not believe recovery exists without a life long committment for the addict to some 12 step program. I've seen a lot of people who free from the chemicals fail to change their behaviors from that of the practicing addict. Once an addict always one. You can sober up a horse thief and you  have a sober horse thief, unless that person is changing the way they think act, feel and relate to the world around them through spiritual exercises in the 12 steps.

Answer 2

taking the drug the first time (times) is a choice, addiction happens chemically and psychologically and it less of a choice.  Not seeking help to stop an addiction is a choice.

Answer 3

Yes, because if you had the choice to start you have the choice to end it..so yes

Answer 4

In a way, yes, because you are choosing not to get help and stop. But it's not a choice to BE addicted, drugs can alter your chemistry and make your body feel that it needs them. It is a choice to be "addicted" to a drug like marijuana, which has no physical addiction. A drug like heroin is nearly impossible not to be addicted to. I think many people are capable of stopping, and chose not to. Alcoholics, for example, may be addicted, but many will make a decision to stop being an alcoholic when they see what it is doing to them. I also think it really varies by person. Some people have addictive personalities and may take only one try of a drug before they are hooked. Some will do drugs for a long time and never form an addiction.