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.
Now, I do know people that have had very crippling addictions. From booze to drugs to sex. Many in my own family. The ones who say “I can't stop, it is a disease!” try to manage the symptoms, but never kick it. The ones who own up to it, and realize “This is a habit I have chosen. It is my responsibility to work on.” are the ones who succeed.
Now, from what I understand about you (just from FR), you have taken those steps. You are calling your addictions a disease, and that has worked for you. So be it. But, in my experience with my friends, family, and coworkers, calling a habit or addiction a disease is most often enabling them to not change.