Anonymous #1 7w

I’d need an entire essay to further support your point on mental health, and the barriers that already exist to limit treatment and access to other helpful resources, and how our lack of free assistance programs directly contribute to homelessness and preventable crime (and overloading our prison system for no reason than to support federal slave programs, but I digress). But you’re just so incredibly correct I need you to know that

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Anonymous #2 7w

This with my friend’s alcoholism

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Anonymous #1 7w

i agree with your points but i have to point out that addiction is likely not a “disease” on its own. it’s usually if not always symptomatic of another issue. intervention in the case of addiction needs to be backed up with mental/physical health support, you can’t just force someone to quit.

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Anonymous #4 7w

Addiction IS classified as a disease on its own, and even has identified biological components. Yes, just like many mental health diseases (or all chronic diseases in general) you are correct it does have to have multifaceted treatment plans. It involves life changes, talk therapy, medication, behavioral therapy, support system building and rebuilding, etc etc etc. Nobody said anything about forcing people to quit, quitting has to be their own choice. And as a society we should be encouraging it

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Anonymous #1 7w

it is currently classified as a disease on its own, but that’s still one of many theoretical models of addiction. we also don’t really classify behavioral addictions as diseases, only substance abuse. I think classing it as a disease is reductive because you can’t treat it with an addiction focused approach, it’s usually a symptom of something else and those other things need to be treated before you can address the addiction.

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Anonymous #1 7w

i do agree that we should encourage quitting as a society, but addiction is a negative coping skill that needs to be replaced with more positive strategies for reducing pain, managing discomfort, or alleviating anxiety.

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Anonymous #4 7w

Sorta right, it’s not just a negative coping skill. Even once someone’s situation changes there are still the biological components at play that can cause replace and cravings. But yes, you alleviate pain through medication, physical discomfort through adequate medical care, mental discomfort through therapy, anxiety through therapy, etc. Like I said, multifaceted care and treatment. All of which attendance is a choice we need to encourage

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Anonymous #1 7w

Relapse^

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Anonymous #1 7w

I think the biochemical processes that occur during/after addiction are really kind of negligible in comparison to the external forces that cause someone to become addicted in the first place. From my own experience and what i’ve seen in people around me I don’t think it’s accurate to treat addiction as an incurable illness.

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Anonymous #1 7w

I think there is much more merit to the conclusion that addiction is really an escalation of self medication for other chronic mental/physical conditions or that addiction is a type of escapism from stressful situations.

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Anonymous #1 7w

but like i’m not disagreeing with you, just irritated with the standard approach to addiction treatment since it tends to treat people with addictions as if they’re stupid or as if psychoactive substances can create addictions in a vacuum.

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Anonymous #4 7w

Brother if our goals are the same why are you arguing about the reason behind our goals? Nobody said anything about treating addiction as an incurable illness. Nobody is saying addicts are stupid. No one is saying psychoactive substance abuse exists in a vacuum. I fear you’re arguing with yourself

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Anonymous #1 7w

i’m not arguing with anyone lmao it’s a forum for discussion

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