Addiction is Not a Choice

I recently read a post that took the position that people who become addicted to drugs do so by choice. 

For those of you who have not had a personal experience, or contact with someone who has had an addiction, I want to set the record straight. Addiction is not a choice!

I have been in the behavioral health and addictions fields for over 20 years and have met hundreds of people who have been addicted to chemicals, both legal and illegal, and I have not yet met one person who chose to become addicted. In fact, most of them struggle to break their dependence and pay an enormous price for their addiction(s).

I have never even met any person who has, or would choose to become addicted to anything.

I will concede that people do choose to consume substances and that some of them do become addicted, but never let anyone tell you that someone "chose to become addicted".

Addiction is a terrible disease that torments people. We should have compassion for addicts and they should have access to treatment, when and if they want it.