From the website: Shatterproof.org
What fosters addiction? Science says there are three main factors.
The first time a person tries alcohol or another drug, it’s a voluntary choice. But at some point during use, a switch gets flipped within the brain and the decision to use is no longer voluntary. As the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse puts it, their brains have been hijacked.
Anyone who tries a substance can become addicted, and research shows that the majority of Americans are at risk of developing addiction. Over 40% of 13–14 year olds, and over 75% of 17–18 year olds, report that they’ve tried alcohol. What’s more, 42% of 17–18 year olds report that they’ve tried illicit drugs.10
After initial exposure, no one chooses how their brain will react to drugs or alcohol. So why do some people develop addiction, while others don’t?
All this scientific evidence points to one bottom line: addiction is not a moral failing.
Addiction is not a choice. It’s not a moral failing, or a character flaw, or something that “bad people” do. Most scientists and experts agree that it’s a disease that is caused by biology, environment, and other factors.
Harmful consequences, shame, and punishment are simply not effective ways to end addiction. A person can’t undo the damage drugs have done to their brain through sheer will power. Like other chronic illnesses, such as asthma or type 2 diabetes, ongoing management of addiction is required for long-term recovery. This can include medication, behavioral therapy, peer-support, and lifestyle modifications.