Or look at it another way. I know women who are addicted to shopping. They go to the mall, buy things they don't need, just for that little high they get. One has hit rock bottom, and is in danger of losing everything. It is an addiction, and she is arguing that "I have no choice but to shop! IT IS A DISEASE!" to her creditors. Is she a victim or an active participant?
Or how about my previous example of those who over eat massive amounts. We have had two gastric bypass surgeries at the plant in the last few years, both by people who say "I have a disease! I have no choice but to over eat! I am addicted to food!" One would smuggle in soft drinks and chips to the control. Should they be excused for all responsibility because they have a disease that they can't control? Or do they have a habit that can be controlled, or changed?
Did you read what you wrote, because this line contradicts pretty much everything else in your post. If somebody is "driven" to do something, they're not really acting out of choice, are they?
"Should they be excused for all responsibility because they have a disease that they can't control?"
Nobody's excusing anybody, nor saying that the disease is something that can't be controlled. An infection can be controlled. Bipolar disorder can be controlled. That does not mean they aren't maladies or that the sufferers of those maladies can't choose to seek treatment for them.
Similarly, a diabetic can indulge his sweet tooth which aggravates his symptoms, but the sugar intake is not the disease. Alcoholism or addiction can be controlled but never really go away, and certainly the alcoholic or addict can do things to avoid the aggravating factors, which the responsible ones find ways of doing.
It's readily evident that you have never personally suffered or dealt with the pain of alcoholism or addiction. Be grateful you don't have the intimate understanding of it that many do.