Addiction; Disease or Not?

[jj22]

Many of us have known or even God forbid have experienced Addiction close to home rather it be a sibling (my story) or other friend or family members. I am apart of a group for "Heroin Angels" for family members who have lost someone to addiction. A lot of times I hear them say it is a disease, now these people are in pain and I certainly understand their pain after my family's loss, but I'm not sure I agree with them it's a disease.

I'd never say it, because I think it's such a painful experience you have to believe what you can to get through it as family member or friends of someone who suffers from an addiction.

So I ask, what are your thoughts? Is addiction a disease?

I'm just not sure how I feel about that excuse as many of these parents I read stories about are very passionate about it being a disease, and I just personally don't know if I agree.