Quote Originally Posted by Stedric
Drug addiction is a disease, not a moral choice. I'm very, very tired of people suggesting otherwise. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous have taken a step towards treating alcoholism as a neurological disease, and not a question of "morality" (and absurd idea). Relevant studies show only genetic and psychological/neurological precursors.

So it is not a question of "fault" at all.
Well, I didn't say anything about morals. So you think I believe drugs are bad?

In fact, I agree with you that it's a disease. A disease similar to an STD in that.. well.. you play with fire and you get burned. An individual genetically predisposed to drug-addiction isn't going to get addicted unless he puts himself in that position. Willpower comes into play when making the decision to at least only use occasionally, the same as that willpower will prevent someone from raping someone else. My father was a tweaker, and I do consider myself to have an addictive personality, but I KNOW WHEN TO RESTRAIN MYSELF.

I know alllllllll about twelve step programs. My mother volunteered and ran an Alateen meeting for two years at my old high school. She was a sponsor for several people who attended Al-anon. I wouldn't present this as fact, but I read on these boards that the success rate for alcoholics quitting, in and out of AA, were the same.