From Choice to Dependence: The Thin Line Between Choice and Addiction

Addiction usually begins as a choice. The initial and first step towards an addiction is usually a choice. A decision to try gambling, alcohol, drugs, smoking and many others, is usually a decision to satisfy curiosity. It's usually a personal decision/ choice that becomes a repeated or reoccurring habit that can't be controlled. Also, making the same choice over and over again, goes as far as altering the brain by building a strong craving or need for such a habit, even when it causes harm or damage and, at this point, self control becomes weak. This is why you find people grow addicted to a substance or habit. Even when they wish to stop, they become uneasy, because they can't help themselves. Many individuals really want to quit addiction but find it difficult. They keep repeating such habits, because they can't control and escape the crave or need to indulge.

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We all view addiction differently. To some it's a choice and to some it's a disease. I view it from both lenses. First, addiction is a choice and becomes a disease later. I have been around a person addicted to drugs and the strong urge and crave, the attitude and toxicity it brings when they can't have access to drugs. It convinced me that it's a disease. Maybe mental sickness is the right word to use.

Addiction goes beyond their control. Being addicted to a substance can ruin a person and eat them like a disease. It's first a choice that would ruin a person if they don't seek help.

The craving that addiction causes is really beyond the willpower and explains why a person will sincerely wish to stop. You find them make promises to quit a habit, but still relapse. The craving will always override their willingness and good intentions to stop/ quit.

This doesn't mean an addict doesn't have the responsibility to change. While addiction controls your willpower, there are some responsibilities an addict has to help themselves overcome addiction. For instance, avoiding triggers, becoming accountable for their decisions, finding a support group, follow up treatment and many other personal responsibilities to help themselves overcome addiction and stay healthy. Conscious and personal decisions are necessary to overcome addiction. It might not be an easy one and setbacks will come, but choosing to quit an addiction is the way to overcome it. Personal efforts and determination help in overcoming addiction.

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Inasmuch as addiction is a first choice, we shouldn't ignore other factors that lead to the choice. Factors like stress, genetics, circumstances, and even mental health issues, make people vulnerable to addiction. These factors trigger certain decisions that lead to addiction. This isn't an excuse to avoid addiction, because there are other healthier decisions, because recovery from addiction is an uphill battle.
Healing requires counseling, rehabilitation and solid support. Addiction shouldn't be an excuse for harmful and reckless behaviors.

I believe that addiction starts with a choice and grows to be more than just a choice, to something uncontrollable. It affects the brain of the victims, the find it really difficult to resist an urge and craving to indulge in addicted activities or behaviors.

To control addiction, people should consider their choices. A single choice could lead to a battle with addiction. For those who are already addicted, they just have to make a conscious effort to overcome addiction without shame. All they need is help, support from family and friends and personal accountability to become free from addiction.