Addiction: is it a disease or a choice? A disease can be described as "a structural or functional disorder that produces specific signs or symptoms, or that affects a specific location and is not simply the direct result of physical injury." Knowing this, we may believe that addiction is a disease. It is something that happens frequently, which usually does not end, just like an illness; it cannot stop on its own, as it requires some form of treatment. The big question about addiction is why people think it is a choice opposed to a disease. Addiction affects 40% of the Western population (Lewis, Marc). There are many types of addictions: food, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling or sexual. When a person develops an addiction to any of these things, they may suffer consequences. If it is a food addiction, one would gain excessive weight, which is extremely unhealthy. Drug addiction is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome; some people never do it. Tobacco is unhealthy for the individual and those around them. This can lead to health problems, which can also lead to expensive healthcare bills. Gambling is not an addiction. They may find themselves lying to get more money to spend, and this may also be a reason why they may borrow and owe someone a lot of money. Sex addiction is difficult to overcome, it can destroy their lives. Family households can be ruined by addiction. It usually never ends on a positive note. The thing a person is addicted to is ingrained in their daily routine and sometimes happens without them realizing it. This can be defined as a compulsive activity. There are three categories...... middle of paper ...... will not be a success. Works Cited Kuhn, Sherri. “Babies born addicted: neonatal abstinence syndrome.” » She knows parenting. May 20, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013. Levy, Neil. “Addiction is not a brain disease (and that's important)” Frontiers in psychiatry, Vol 4. April 11, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013. Lewis, Marc. “Why addiction is NOT a brain disease.” The public science library science blog network. November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2013. Leyton, Marco. “Are addictions diseases or choices? Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Vol 38(4) pp. 219-221. July 2013. Accessed November 25, 2013. http://www.thecleanslate.org/myths/addiction-is-not-a-brain-disease-it-is-a-choice/