Does Technology Ensure Progress

1. Disease

Addiction

Society

Illness

(mis)behaviour

Impulsions

Chemical

Drugs and alcohol

1. Is addiction a disease?
2. Conclusion; The disease model of addiction has serious ramifications for American Society, therefore addiction is not a disease.

P1: Narcotics and alcohol are linked with addiction

P2: Addiction conjures up images of a crazed user, oblivious to surroundings, who will stop at nothing to get their vice.

P3: Drugs and Alcohol have withdrawal chemical effects eliciting irritating physical sensations.

P4: Science and the Public have embraced the notion that addicts suffer from a ‘sickness’.

P5: Attempts to prove that addiction is a clear-cut medical condition have been inconclusive.

P6: The idea of addiction as a disease has spread to encompass behaviors as well as the chemical dependency

P7: The more society dismisses misbehavior as uncontrollable impulsions, the less people are held accountable for their actions.

P8: Creating a world of addictive diseases results in a world in which anything is excusable, one that must inevitably slide into chaos.

Fallacies:

P5 = Appeal to Ignorance

P6 → P7 → P8 = Slippery Slope

        Addiction encompasses behaviors too → more misbehavior is dismissed as impulsions within addiction → less accountability for their actions → world of addictive disease → anything is excusable → must slide into chaos

P8 = “treatment centres” Hasty Generalization

Conceptual Analysis

Is Addiction a Disease?

1. Model Case

1. Billy grew up in a rough household with a missing father and an alcoholic mother. The school system failed him and he ended up mixing with the wrong crowds. It started off slow with alcohol for personal enjoyment, but slowly began transitioning to harder drugs. Further attempts at rehabilitation centers and at-home treatments failed, and his want for heroin turned into a chemical need. By his late 20s, Billy turned into a junkie; selling, stealing and begging to afford his crippling heroin addiction.
2.  

1. Contrary Case

1. John used to weigh 230 pounds. Following the advice of his friends, John started a fitness regiment that centered around his personal goals and pleasures while exercising; specifically targeting sports and activities John enjoys rather than pure cardio. John has since lost 50 lbs and fitness is a huge part of his life; including runs in the morning, and sports later on during the day. He chases the “runners high” effect and is addicted to running, playing soccer and staying healthy
2.  

1. Related Concept

1. Is being dependent a disease?
2.  Model Case: Billy cannot stop taking heroin, as his body is dependent on it. If he stops taking heroin, his body undergoes withdrawal symptoms that wreak havoc on his immune system and social relationships causing suicidal thoughts and depression. He takes heroin to avoid the withdrawal symptoms and subsequent trauma.

1. Contrary Case: William works at a stock trading company. His work involves using computers and other technologies to track the stock exchange and make smart choices quick. His work follows him even when he’s home, as he constantly checks his phone on stock and finance updates. William is dependent on technology and his phone to work and earn a salary.

1. Addiction is a habit-forming dependency on a substance or activity.

Having an addiction means being controlled by the substance or activity that pushes the individual to seek relief or pleasure from the difficulties of withdrawal.

Disease must be treated as soon as possible to prevent worsening effects.

Disease has an initial cause and feeds off the disfunction of a system.

1. Borderline Case

1. Brant, a student, smokes marijuana on a daily basis to pass the time. After a few years of daily use, he’s become skilled at hiding his marijuana use, however his social relationships with his friends have gone downhill. He still passes his exams with a GPA of 3.8 on the 4.0 scale.
2.  

1. Invented Case

1. In the year 3000, humans have become addicted to cocaine to increase productivity and extroversion. A high quality cocaine product has been manufactured but it still has side effects in addition to the productive elements.
2.