Is Substance-Use Disorder an Actual Disease?

Question by sullivan: Is substance-use disorder an actual disease?
There is much debate today about whether or not substance-use disorder is a disease. Most science in the field point to a dysregulation that my very well be caused by the use of chemicals within the mesolimbic center or pleasure pathway of the brain, yet this “disease” only affects “those who have what it takes” according to the textbook “The Science of Addiction”. Furthermore, most medications prescribed are mainly fr withdrawel effects of certain chemicals but not remission of the “disease” and too often talk therapy is precribed for a supposed medical issue. Further yet, some claim that the disease can be the outcome of gentic predisposition, yet no gene marker has been found to verify that claim and while many “addicts” do in fact come from families where chemical abuse was evident, many “normal” famlies have birthed “addicts” and many “addicted” familes have birthed non-addicts. In connetion with the description above concerning the mesolimbic center, if a person voluntarily chooses to use chemicals which in turn then create a dysregulation which in turn makes quitting more difficult, is it still a disease? Furthermore, after an “addict” gets clean for say 5 or 10 years and “relapses”, should they be sympathized with for having a disease or told frankly that they made their choice? Thank you for your input.

Best answer:

Answer by ★☆W.a.b.b.y✿❀
You’re right there is a lot of debate about it, but it really depends who you ask. According to the DSM it is, however if a disorder is not listed in the DSM then someone suffering from it cannot get funding for assistance.
There’s still a lot of debate and research going into it all.

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