If I can't stop myself from using a hammer on my knee-caps, that is a bad habit—not a “disease.”
And if that was all there was to it you might be correct.
The dis-ease is deadly if not properly and continuously treated
For example, I had a friend who broke his right lower leg in a sledding accident. He spent 6 months in the hospital and endured several surgeries of which involved inserting about a 1 foot metal rod in his leg. Back then they relied way too much on morphine to relieve the pain. When he finally got out of the hospital, he was addicted. He became an abuser of heroin, but was always a functional person who was able to support his habit. I was his best friend and I never knew until many years later that he was doing heroin. Eventually we fell out of touch and I do not know his status today, but I know he used for many years. I do not think he ever mainlined it, instead he snorted it from a nose spray bottle. In fact he used to love to go ask a cop a question and spray his nose while talking to them. He got some kind of perverse kick out of that. I'm sure by now it has taken a toll on him, if he still is using, and most likely it has taken his freedom or his life. Before that he did no drugs and had no vices, and an extremely bright person.
If you can’t stop hitting yourself with a hammer you have a disease. Who would want to hit themselves with a hammer.
Most drug addicts wish they were t addicted. It is harder or almost impossible to break and will ultimately kill you.
Agreed. Addiction is not a disease. Anything you cure by will and character is not a disease.