Luke McCandless

Connie Douglas
UWRT
18 April 2016

Mental illness is defined as a disorder that affects a persons mood, thinking, and/or
behaviors. With this definition it is hard to understand why some people still do not consider
addiction to be a mental illness. Addiction changes the way the brain functions. Drug addiction
in particular alters the natural hierarchy of needs to compensate for the substance one is addicted
to. Basic needs are reprioritized in order to substitute for the use of the drug. Often times
necessities such as food and shelter come second to getting high.
Even though it is proven that addiction rewires the brain to prioritize substances, some
still argue that addiction is not a mental illness. While there are many arguments as to why
addiction is not a mental illness, one of the most prominent is that addiction is the result of
human nature. Those who believe this argue that addiction is the result of ones actions rather
than a predisposed condition such as Down syndrome or bipolar disorder. Because it is not
predisposed, it is not a disorder, merely a consequence of using drugs.
It is true that drug addiction is typically the fault of the person using drugs. Perhaps given
difference circumstances, an addict could have avoided becoming addicted to a substance all
together. While this is true, it is not relevant to the diagnosis of mental illness. Nowhere in the
definition of mental illness does it require a disorder to be present from birth. Mental illness is a
condition that affects or changes the way a person behaves, thinks, or feels. Addiction affects all
three of those things, despite it being the consequence of long term drug use.

Another counter argument that should be considered is that every person is different
when it comes to addiction. While addiction is the result of ones own actions, genetics still play
a major role on how drugs affect the brain. Some people are inheritably prone to addiction, while
others are able to avoid addiction no matter how long they use a substance. Some people are
have a higher risk of becoming an addict due to their genes. In the case of someone who simply
has an addictive personality, it may not always be their fault if they eventually become an addict.
Addiction is not always the fault of the individual, for some people are predisposed to become
one.
Drug addiction clearly affects the brain in the same ways as mental illness. Yet it is still is
not considered to be an illness. Because of this many addicts d not get the help they need, instead
they get punished and imprisoned. Categorizing drug addiction as a mental illness would benefit
those struggling with addiction. Instead of treating it as a crime, we should recognize addiction
for what it is, an illness. Those convicted of drug crimes should be required to attend rehab or
some sort of therapy to help aid with addiction. Some level of punishment can be beneficial of
course, however serving jail time for drug use is not the best form. Depending on the substance
one is addicted too, withdrawal can be very dangerous and should be supervised by trained
professionals. In addition to this, locking up offenders of victimless crimes serves no purpose,
for they were not putting others in danger in the first place.
Drug addiction has all the characteristics of a mental illness. Though it is commonly the
result of an individuals choice to use drugs, some people are predisposed to it due to hereditary
genetics. In addition to this, not categorizing addiction as a mental illness is detrimental to those
suffering with it. Instead of attending rehab and therapy sessions, addicts are punished and
sentenced to unfair jail time. Addiction could be handled in much better ways than it is currently.

While recognizing addiction for what it really is, mental illness, wont solve every issue, it is a
good start towards helping addicts.