Don’t diseases manifest in the body or mind? In the case of addictions, isn’t it essentially a reaction to using drugs?
I understand addictions in the sense of preexisting mental illnesses like compulsive behaviors or genetic predispositions passed down in a family tree like alcoholism or schizophrenia.
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Addiction is considered a disease because it is a chronic, relapsing condition that affects the brain. It changes the way the brain functions, including the way it processes rewards and the way it responds to stress. This can lead to compulsive drug use despite negative consequences, such as problems with relationships, employment, or health. Like other diseases, addiction also has a genetic component and can run in families. It is also a chronic condition that requires ongoing management and treatment, similar to other chronic health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
> Don’t diseases manifest in the body or mind?
Yes, and addiction is indeed a mental disorder.
Addiction can actually change how the brain is wired over time. It causes physical changes to the body that help reinforce the behavior. Which is why it can take years for someone to get over it and even then they are never truly over it.
https://www.nature.com/articles/522S50a
The word disease is a clue. Disease means the body itself is in a state of “dis-ease,” rather than just the mind. Addiction causes physical changes in your brain which take substantial effort and often clinical treatment to overcome.
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