Poll of the Day > Is addiction a disease, and should it be treated the same as cancer, etc

(+) Yeah! (+)

Does the fact that addiction is largely self-inflicted make it less serious as a condition? Should addicts be shamed and ridiculed for putting themselves in their respective situations?

Curious what people think. My cousin says that because addicts choose to do drugs, they should simply choose to stop. Easy peasy. Problem solved! Get over it, addicts! Its not like you have a real disease, like leukemia.

My argument was that being sick isnt a competition, and we should be able to treat everyones illness.
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A lot of addicts probably don't get the treatment they need because they keep their addictions secret for fear of being shamed and ridiculed.
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In many cases, cancer is self-inflicted too. So are heart attacks. So's diabetes. So are many infections. The cause and effect aren't as immediately linked as is the case with addiction, but if we're going to refuse to treat diseases based on how self-inflicted they are, a whole lot of medicine is just going to stop happening.
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Zangulus posted...

Its just a way for psychopathic people to justify their degrading of another human beings life without having any idea of what that person has gone through.

They went through self-control and failed because they're a cancer on humanity.

Addiction is a failing like obesity, the ailments are the punishment for failing to be a human being.
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

Zangulus posted...

Its just a way for psychopathic people to justify their degrading of another human beings life without having any idea of what that person has gone through.

They went through self-control and failed because they're a cancer on humanity.

Addiction is a failing like obesity, the ailments are the punishment for failing to be a human being.

List the last five reasons you went to a doctor, and I'll tell you how every one of them was something you could have prevented.
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adjl posted...

In many cases, cancer is self-inflicted too. So are heart attacks. So's diabetes. So are many infections. The cause and effect aren't as immediately linked as is the case with addiction, but if we're going to refuse to treat diseases based on how self-inflicted they are, a whole lot of medicine is just going to stop happening.

Thank you, yes. Made a similar point using diabetes, and was written off as irrelevant.

Also asked her if people who attempt suicide and fail should be told to stop being depressed and get over it. Same response, shes says thats not relevant to the discussion.

Being very condescending, too. Basically saying if you dont agree with her that you can just fuck off.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTJdFch37WU

Far-Queue posted...

My cousin says that because addicts choose to do drugs, they should simply choose to stop. Easy peasy.

actually, it's a lot more complicated than that. I'm not a neurologist or anything, but from what I've learned it has (at least in part) to do with dopamine and what dopamine does. this is actually a little bit mind-blowing to me.

dopamine *reinforces the mental pathways that led to its release*. it's almost like a weird form of time-travel; it's an event that manages to increase its own chances of ocurring by lending strength to the chain of events that led to its cause.

with drug addiction, you have poor decision-making leading up to the taking of the drug, immediately followed by an unnaturally high volume of neurotransmitters being released, including dopamine, which reinforces everything in your mind that led up to that moment. whatever it was about you that got you to that moment has now been magnified, increasing the chance that it happens again, and increasing the chance that it will be reinforced further. it's a weird kind of self-reinforcing trap.
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Ive had my own issues and even I dont see it as a disease. Its a behavior

I think its just been presented that way so that itll be more treated more seriously than people otherwise would
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no, you should not treat addiction with chemo.
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depends.
if its a physical addiction (meth/heroin/booze) then maybe.

if a mental dependency (weed) then no as the "addiction" passes after a couple days
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Zangulus posted...

Kyuubi4269 posted...

Zangulus posted...

Its just a way for psychopathic people to justify their degrading of another human beings life without having any idea of what that person has gone through.

They went through self-control and failed because they're a cancer on

Thank you for proving my point.

Do tell me the hardships every addict has ever gone through. Absolutely anybody could have gone through shit and not everyone who has has resorted to drugs.

Your problems aren't an excuse to be a garbage human.
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

Your problems aren't an excuse to be a garbage human.

And yours are?
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adjl posted...

Kyuubi4269 posted...

Your problems aren't an excuse to be a garbage human.

And yours are?

I'm not an addict :3 I also don't use my issues as an excuse to act worse.
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

adjl posted...

Kyuubi4269 posted...

Your problems aren't an excuse to be a garbage human.

And yours are?

I'm not an addict :3 I also don't use my issues as an excuse to act worse.

You may not be an addict but you sure do come across as a piece of shit

Zangulus posted...

Anyone that says addiction isnt a disease probably cant even tell you the definition of disease.

Pro tip: It meets the definition and criteria to be labeled a disease.

Its just a way for psychopathic people to justify their degrading of another human beings life without having any idea of what that person has gone through.

This was a major problem brought up in my law course - that the definition of 'Disease' is way too vague.

Definition of disease
1 obsolete :trouble
2 :a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms :sickness, malady

infectious diseases

a rare genetic disease

heart disease

3 :a harmful development (as in a social institution)

sees the city's crime as a disease

Pretty obvious to see where the problem is. People grow up with the impression that a disease is basically an illness that is unwanted, unintended, and not through choices / gross negligence on the part of the victim. Addicts use this definition to take advantage of the system and not be held accountable for their own actions.

You can be denied coverage for workplace injuries, auto insurance, or pretty much anything along those lines based upon 'gross negligence'. Being a fuckup addict definitely falls into that category, but this poorly-worded definition causes the problem. Same with bleeding heart pussies who think these assholes deserve our sympathy or help.
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Addiction physically alters the brain and body, so by that definition, it is absolutely a disease

However, my sympathy for the addicted has really run dry because of my interactions with them over time.
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OhhhJa posted...

Kyuubi4269 posted...

adjl posted...

Kyuubi4269 posted...

Your problems aren't an excuse to be a garbage human.

And yours are?

I'm not an addict :3 I also don't use my issues as an excuse to act worse.

You may not be an addict but you sure do come across as a piece of shit

Says the rando attacking people on the internet unprovoked
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

OhhhJa posted...

Kyuubi4269 posted...

adjl posted...

Kyuubi4269 posted...

Your problems aren't an excuse to be a garbage human.

And yours are?

I'm not an addict :3 I also don't use my issues as an excuse to act worse.

You may not be an addict but you sure do come across as a piece of shit

Says the rando attacking people on the internet unprovoked

Attacking? Lol sounds like you're just sensitive. If you don't wanna get called a piece of shit then maybe don't act like a piece of shit

OhhhJa posted...

Attacking?

Ya, you literally interupted something that was nothing to do with you to hurl insults.

OhhhJa posted...

Lol sounds like you're just sensitive. If you don't wanna get called a piece of shit then maybe don't act like a piece of shit

Don't want to be called a hypocrite, don't act like one.
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WaffIeElite posted...

Addicts use this definition to take advantage of the system and not be held accountable for their own actions.

They do this in your head because of your predisposed negative view of "The Drug Addict".
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To make a sweeping statement such as "drug addicts don't deserve help" is pretty psychotic, tbh
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vicedungwinsgam posted...

To make a sweeping statement such as "drug addicts don't deserve help" is pretty psychotic, tbh

Do you think ICO needs help? Because addicts are effectively just lazy. Addicts are letting themselves fall apart because they can't be arsed to try, they're garbage.
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Zangulus posted...

Kyuubi4269 posted...

Because addicts are effectively just lazy. Addicts are letting themselves fall apart because they can't be arsed to try, they're garbage.

Universal truth from the mind of a psychopath. As usual.

As usual on PotD "You don't agree with me, let me attack your character instead since I can't hit your argument".
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

vicedungwinsgam posted...

To make a sweeping statement such as "drug addicts don't deserve help" is pretty psychotic, tbh

Do you think ICO needs help? Because addicts are effectively just lazy. Addicts are letting themselves fall apart because they can't be arsed to try, they're garbage.

Trolls used to be decent. They're so shitty these days.
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

vicedungwinsgam posted...

To make a sweeping statement such as "drug addicts don't deserve help" is pretty psychotic, tbh

Do you think ICO needs help? Because addicts are effectively just lazy. Addicts are letting themselves fall apart because they can't be arsed to try, they're garbage.

Plenty of addicts get clean and better themselves.
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I wonder if the people saying it is a disease have ever lived with/had a close family member who is an addict.

It's not a disease. These people choose to put themselves through this. Comparing it to heart disease or any other actual disease is ridiculous. You can't just stop having heart disease. You can just stop using tho.
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vicedungwinsgam posted...

Kyuubi4269 posted...

vicedungwinsgam posted...

To make a sweeping statement such as "drug addicts don't deserve help" is pretty psychotic, tbh

Do you think ICO needs help? Because addicts are effectively just lazy. Addicts are letting themselves fall apart because they can't be arsed to try, they're garbage.

Trolls used to be decent. They're so shitty these days.

7/10
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

As usual on PotD "You don't agree with me, let me attack your character instead since I can't hit your argument".

Your argument is "addicts are trash". You've offered absolutely nothing else on the subject.

That's not an "argument". It's a sweeping statement that only could come from someone who's insane.

Do you think that every cigarette smoker should be denied any and all medical treatment for any ailments resulting therefrom?

Probably not, because society, media and other forces haven't instilled a sweeping shitview of cig smokers like they have "drug addicts" in your mind.
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SmokeMassTree posted...

I wonder if the people saying it is a disease have ever lived with/had a close family member who is an addict.

It's not a disease. These people choose to put themselves through this.

I have personally been close friends with multiple heroin addicts.

You obviously have not.
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The best part is that these idiots don't even acknowledge or recognize that plenty of addictions start with a prescription.

I personally know a man who's been addicted to painkillers since the dawn of time because they were shoved down his throat by doctors.
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Zangulus posted...

WaffIeElite posted...

Addicts use this definition to take advantage of the system and not be held accountable for their own actions.

Never mind the doctors and scientists that also define it as a disease. But you know better.

Same with bleeding heart pussies who think these assholes deserve our sympathy or help.

I already had proof of my statement. Yours was unneeded. But it does help drive the point home.

Of course I know better. Also, I'm up to five shitbag addicts I've personally gotten blacklisted from jobsites.

I grew up around them my whole life, and I have absolutely zero goddamn use for, or respect for these people. It's nice having a job in Health & Safety where we give zero shits about them, and have full legal backing to shitkick them to the curb. Everyone else's safety is more important than someone's piss poor control issues.

vicedungwinsgam posted...

SmokeMassTree posted...

I wonder if the people saying it is a disease have ever lived with/had a close family member who is an addict.

It's not a disease. These people choose to put themselves through this.

I have personally been close friends with multiple heroin addicts.

You obviously have not.

Hi, I have. Fuck those assholes. They're sub-human garbage that bring everyone around them down.
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There's plenty of drug addicts who are also shitty human beings.

Tons of them.

Doesn't mean they all are, and doesn't mean you know a god damned thing about someone just because you're told they're a drug addict.
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kind9 posted...

Plenty of addicts get clean and better themselves.

And they stop being addicts.

vicedungwinsgam posted...

It's a sweeping statement that only could come from someone who's insane.

Hold on while I stalk you in every topic and say everything you say is insane since apparently that's a legitimate response.

vicedungwinsgam posted...

Do you think that every cigarette smoker should be denied any and all medical treatment for any ailments resulting therefrom?

Yes, self-inflicted injuries shouldn't be treated by others, take responsibility or get fucked.

vicedungwinsgam posted...

Probably not, because society, media and other forces haven't instilled a sweeping shitview of cig smokers like they have "drug addicts" in your mind.

"Let me make sweeping statements even though I just said sweeping statements are bad."
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I think it's funny that you guys get fired up and go to bat against "drug addicts" but probably haven't spent a minute of your life rallying against tobacco or alcohol.

It's interesting how media and society influence perspective as we grow older. Alcohol and Tobacco? They're "legal", so they're fine! Or, it's all over TV commercials, so it's "cool!"
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vicedungwinsgam posted...

There's plenty of drug addicts who are also shitty human beings.

Tons of them.

Doesn't mean they all are, and doesn't mean you know a god damned thing about someone just because you're told they're a drug addict.

Actually, you do.
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vicedungwinsgam posted...

I think it's funny that you guys get fired up and go to bat against "drug addicts" but probably haven't spent a minute of your life rallying against tobacco or alcohol.

It's interesting how media and society influence perspective as we grow older.

Nice stupid assumptions. I have. The last person I kicked off a jobsite was because he had alcohol in his room. Get fucked, alcoholic.
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WaffIeElite posted...

Actually, you do.

You don't. There are countless reasons or scenarios that lead to drug addiction. This isn't debatable.
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WaffIeElite posted...

he had alcohol in his room. Get fucked, alcoholic.

You're at least a lot funnier than the other guy.

"You can totally tell everything about someone if you know they're a drug addict. You know their life story. Not assuming anything at all, here."

"Liquor bottle on your own property? Automatic alcoholic. Again, I don't assume anything."
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vicedungwinsgam posted...

The best part is that these idiots don't even acknowledge or recognize that plenty of addictions start with a prescription.

I personally know a man who's been addicted to painkillers since the dawn of time because they were shoved down his throat by doctors.

That's irrelevant particularly since with a prescription he loses access to the drug when the doctor says he doesn't need them, thus he had to do something criminal to avoid withdrawal symptoms he knows will pass safely.

vicedungwinsgam posted...

There's plenty of drug addicts who are also shitty human beings.

Tons of them.

Doesn't mean they all are, and doesn't mean you know a god damned thing about someone just because you're told they're a drug addict.

If they're addicted, they're choosing to feed the addiction instead of pushing through. They're weak.
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

"Let me make sweeping statements even though I just said sweeping statements are bad."

lmfao bro implying that media and society's unarguably hard-pushed negative view of drug-addicts may have had an influence on your mind isn't making a "sweeping statement"

I'm dying
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vicedungwinsgam posted...

I think it's funny that you guys get fired up and go to bat against "drug addicts" but probably haven't spent a minute of your life rallying against tobacco or alcohol.

It's interesting how media and society influence perspective as we grow older. Alcohol and Tobacco? They're "legal", so they're fine! Or, it's all over TV commercials, so it's "cool!"

I don't drink and have never smoked anything because I'm not a fucking moron.. I also don't give in to social pressure like a weak little bitch because I actually have self-control.
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

Yes, self-inflicted injuries shouldn't be treated by others, take responsibility or get fucked.

lol trash troll

Like you didn't cry to your mother on your first scraped knee
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