“Scientific research into addiction ... has led experts to conclude that addiction is actually a disease, a chronic illness like diabetes or hypertension.”
—Janet Firshein, independent health writer and former editor of
Medicine and Health

“The disease concept [of addiction] is directly contradicted by a huge amount of research.”
—Neal Williams, writer for
Gray Areas, a magazine exploring controversial social issues

Throughout history, the prevailing attitude toward addiction has been one of disapproval, even repugnance. Addiction was seen as a personal failing, one that resulted from moral weakness and a lack of discipline. At best, addiction was a bad habit, at worst, a sin.

Although addiction has not entirely lost its stigma, an increasing body of scientific research has improved people’s understanding of and sympathy for the problem. One major development in addiction research is the theory that addiction is primarily...