IS DRUG ADDICTION A DISEASE?

When I first learned that my daughter, Jennifer, was using heroin, I truly believed it was something she could beat. After all, she had withdrawn. Didn't withdrawal mean it is no longer in your system? I realized how hard it was to go cold turkey when she told me about her body caving in during the withdrawal week. That's why I was so sure we could move ahead. Boy, was I naive. 

"Addiction" doesn't go away just because someone withdraws. When I began my "Recovery Journey" with Jennifer, I went to numerous meetings. Some of the facilities she stayed at required you, the family member, to participate in order to see your family member. I wanted to seem totally supportive, so I went.

When I attended these meetings, the leaders and the participants would talk about drug addiction as a "disease." Disease? No--not in my mind. "Choice" was more like it. I believed addicts had a choice whether or not they wanted to pic up that needle and insert it into their body. And I stuck with that thought for many years.

The way I made peace with Jennifer's death is by changing my stand. I do believe that addiction is a disease. I also believe that the only time the addict has a choice is before the first needle of heroin enters the body. It is like injecting "cancer cells" in the body that overtakes it. When someone with an addiction has a clean period, they are in drug "remission." When they are using, it's as if the cancer has raised its ugly head. 

This is how I view addiction. How do you feel? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

LAUNCHING THE BOOK

Today I officially sent out notices to my friends, family, and acquaintances announcing the publication of Jennifer Needle In Her Arm. What surprised me the most was the number of responses I received "thanking" me for writing the book from people who knew others who could use a book like this. I've known for a long time that drugs have permeated our society covering every nook and cranny of the earth. Even if you haven't experienced this in your immediate family, in most cases it isn't too far behind--a cousin, an uncle, a niece, or a nephew.

When I sat attending meetings at the numerous rehabs that Jennifer "recovered" at, they used to tell me that drug addiction is a "disease." I had a hard time buying into that for a long time. A disease....interesting. My sister has MS--and that's a disease. She didn't pick it--it picked her. She didn't have control over it--it controlled her. How could it be a "disease"?

I learned after traveling the addiction road with my daughter that it truly was a disease. It was an avoidable disease before you put the needle in your arm, but after it starts, the disease sets in.

How do you feel about drugs? Disease? Choice? Stoppable once you get on them?
Let me know your thoughts.