It feels like every time I log into Facebook, there is always that one post with hundreds of comments debating about whether or not addiction is a choice. This debate has been around forever, but even more so now that singer songwriter Demi Lovato has allegedly overdosed on heroin.

When you pick up a drug, whether that be cocaine, heroin, meth, etc, you do not choose to get addicted. You do not smoke crack and think, "Well, I think I want to get addicted to this."

Picking up that drug and using it whether you are snorting it, smoking it, shooting it, etc. is a CHOICE.

You are making the choice to use that drug. On the other hand, you are not picking up a drug with the intentions of getting addicted. Addiction is the last thing someone thinks about when they do drugs. You choose to do that drug. What you don't choose, however, is how your brain/body responds to said drugs which is a major reason why people with addictions cannot control their use.

I know most people who say that addiction is not a disease will back up their opinions with their own personal experiences, but you cannot debate science. Addiction is, 110%, proven to be a disease and it has been classified as such for decades.

And, before you start saying something along the lines of, "Well, cancer IS a disease and so is meningitis!", there are plenty of diseases that DON'T start with a choice. Nobody chooses to get cancer. But, with that being said, there are also plenty of diseases that are the result OF a choice.

What about heart disease that was the result of a poor diet? Lung cancer that was the result of smoking?

If years and years of medical research and facts can't convince you that addiction is indeed a disease, know that you can continue your debate until the end of time, but a lot of people are still losing their loved ones every single day and it's time to bring awareness to the fact that addiction is an up and coming problem and is more and more common every single day. If you or someone you know is suffering with addiction, reach out for help.

There are so many resources available for you and it IS possible to have your "normal life" back again.