The Addiction Disease Model is not based on scientific discovery-investigation and evidence but rather a consensus of treatment professionals and recovery groups. These groups have rubber stamped the Disease Model into existence but have never brought forth acceptable figures that support that claim and quite frankly, without scientific evidence it leaves the entire question open.

It's like Darwinism Vs Creationism in argument quality. What is known for sure is that environment and personal decisions as well as coping skills define emotional well being in all but the seriously mentally ill. There simply is no quality research defining the onset of addiction.

The behaviors associated with addiction are willful decisions and not some embedded genetic programming that leaves absolutely no choice to the user of a substance. The Disease Model or No Choice Model that is portrayed as disease thereby renders the substance abuser mentally helpless over all outcomes in their lives. This is simply not the case as behavior not only suggests but proves choice and course of action enabling those choices.

If there is actually a pathological drive of no choice then addicts would use their substances in all of life's situations without regard to what that situation is. The choice to not go to work, to not go to court or to not appear in front of authority figures intoxicated disproves The Disease Model that says Addiction leaves no choice. The mere fact that family disapproval or other disapproval of the actions of the addict can stop use dead in it's tracks screams to any thinking reasoning person that this behavior is indeed a choice and therefore a responsibility.

In addition, if there were no choice to use, then there could be no choice to recover. The choice to follow AA mandates proves that recovery is a choice.

By applying the Disease Model we in effect are telling the addicted that this phenomenon of use is beyond personal choice and therefore beyond personal attempts to recover which sets them up for not only failure, but a ready excuse to fail. It also sets in motion hopelessness and even very self destructive thinking and in some, suicide. The "I've got a disease, I'm not responsible." is a deadly reality for many addicts and the people that cross their paths.

Scientists point to a specific gene and claim that there is a genetic predisposition to addiction and certain behaviors. This explanation leaves a huge hole in the equations when the gene is present and addiction or behaviors do not occur either defined as primarily or generational. A very common occurrence. See What Is Addiction? This begs to be addressed by science and to this day has not been studied and proven.

The Disease Model is a bias model. In other words, even 500 million people screaming it is a disease still does not prove scientifically that it is indeed a disease which renders that model a popular belief albeit not a proven belief. How many cultural beliefs have we today that are accepted but not proven?

The Disease Model is the foundation of a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide that cannot even prove it's right to exist among precepts in the main stream medical community. The questions that this industry ignores and the evidence that this industry overlooks daily is staggering. What's worse is that AA and NA almost completely forbid independent study and thinking by virtue of telling those wishing to do it that this will cause a relapse back into active addiction. Stink'in think'in. or Intellectualization and Rationalization.

The don't think, just do is thrown out of the window when AA, NA, demands that you think and do as they say. So in essence AA, NA could deserve cult status...but not quite. One way of thinking, no way of questioning. And according to AA and NA

I do not exist because recovery long term cannot be maintained without AA or NA yet I have been sober 14 of 16 years without AA or NA. 17 years sobriety, 15 years without AA, NA. I left because I was forbidden to question that which interested me.

I endorse AA, NA as an avenue to try recovery because it may appeal to some and it does work . I endorse psychology based help as my way of thinking. I also endorse the Bible. I do not slam the door in anyone's face I first and foremost believe that a belief in God deters poor choices.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization 2002 Report), Russia has an addiction rate aprox two and one half times the addiction rate of the United States for it's male population. The life expectancy of a male in Russia is 56 years of age. Now if addiction were genetic as we are often told, and occurs in roughly 10% of any population, then why is Russia's male addiction rate so high while their female addiction rate barely exceed that of any other country?

Addiction is not a serious study for our scientific community or behavorialist or someone somewhere would have brought these disturbing facts to light. Addiction touches more people than any form of cancer and ruins more lives than any other disease known, yet what we know for sure is always in total argument in quality of treatment and resolution.

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