[fitba72]

Need to point out that the disease theory of addiction is hotly debated in the US. Not so much in developed countries where socialized medicine is available, where the theory is widely discounted. Those interested should take a look at the work of Stanton Peele.

[emerged]

I’d imagine most addiction occurs when the body has a natural imbalance in certain neurotransmitters (GABA), so it seeks a way to adjust the balance (alcohol). Seems fair to call that natural imbalance a disease.

[netizen-936824]

You're onto something there. These imbalances (rather, deviation from the average in terms of various regulatory pathways) are absolutely key to differences not only in personality but perspective, cognitive abilities, and as you mention propensity to use psychoactive substances. I've been thinking something similar for a while now, that most people with addictions to psychoactive are likely attempting to correct for something.

Not to mention, most of the illegal compounds have pharmacological activity that would be nearly impossible to get from a prescription for most people.

[fitba72]

Your US medical insurance will cover an illness or disease (why 12 step for profit rehabs continue to lobby this idea). Less likely to cover you for a lifestyle choice that became a learned behavior.