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Truth Bomb: If You Say Addiction 'Isn't A Disease,' You Can't Call Cancer Or STDs Diseases, Either

If addiction wasn't a disease, cancer wouldn't be one either.

Macey Joe Mullins

Oct 15, 2018

Bowling Green State University

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If you think addiction isn't a disease, then you're probably just as big of a simple halfwit as I used to be.

Before I was enlightened by a friend on Facebook, I thought addiction wasn't a disease and I was dead set on believing so. This close-minded way of thinking got me nowhere, but now that I've opened my mind and began to understand what addiction actually is... I get it.

Most of the morons that think addiction is not a disease have a few arguments... one being you chose to pick up the needle/bottle/etc. Number two being you cannot get addicted if you just don't do drugs in the first place. Well, truth is, people choose to do a lot of things that give them diseases.

Let me ask you a few questions...

Do you drink? Do you smoke? Do you have sex? Do you choose to do these things?

The answer to at least one of those questions is probably yes.

So, If your liver fails from drinking, am I allowed to say "you don't have a disease because you chose to drink, so I have no sympathy for you?"

Or can I tell you that (your) lung cancer isn't a disease because you have smoked for 10 plus years?

Maybe it would be OK if I told you that the STD you acquired from having sex isn't a disease, due to the fact that you totally chose to do that.

(I want to acknowledge that I know some men and women are forced into sexual relations, this does not apply to them in any way.)

Those few arguments utterly destroy "addiction is not a disease."

Next, I would like to say I do believe addiction is a choice, and the only way you get the disease is by trying it because you want to. But the reality of it is, people try a lot of things that could hurt them in some way. Whether it's driving a car and getting in a car accident, or swinging on a rope swing and breaking your leg.

Yes, you chose to do it. And yes, you still deserve medical help.

Everyone deserves help when they are struggling or in a low place. I can say this first hand. I live with an addict. I know how it works. I see the choices made, and it may begin as a choice, but whether you like it or not; it's a disease.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

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For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

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Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

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Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

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Truth Bomb: If You Say Addiction 'Isn't A Disease,' You Can't Call Cancer Or STDs Diseases, Either

If addiction wasn't a disease, cancer wouldn't be one either.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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