Can I please just get this out - drug addiction is NOT A DISEASE!

I don't think that's what the "powerless" step actually means, if only because it's such an obvious contradiction with the idea of recovery (as you pointed out) as to be an incredible oversight, if taken that way. I think it's more about the necessity of a support system, IE: powerless to stop on our own, through sheer force of willpower, without changing the kinds of things that led to it in the first place, for example.

Addiction has the aspect of choice in both starting and ending. Diseases do not. No one can choose disease - they may engage in things that increase their odds of obtaining one, but they really can't choose one as some people fail to manifest disease even when exposed to the most virulent or extreme catalysts. And the sad aspect of disease is no one (outside of cases we classify as miracles) can just choose, mentally & emotionally, to end one.

I don't believe I've ever seen a definition of disease that necessitates it being permanent. Do you not consider the flu to be a disease?

This is part of why I don't classify addiction as a "disease." Addiction can be overcome mentally & emotionally (usually with group or professional help) - in fact, that's the only way it can be overcome (as drug treatments for addiction are another crutch used only to wean an addict off their preferred drug).

The same can't be said for cancer or other diseases - you can't just make the choice to stop taking whatever is causing the disease and choose to not take the substance one day at a time to begin recovery.

Addiction has the aspect of choice in both starting and ending. Diseases do not. No one can choose disease - they may engage in things that increase their odds of obtaining one, but they really can't choose one as some people fail to manifest disease even when exposed to the most virulent or extreme catalysts. And the sad aspect of disease is no one (outside of cases we classify as miracles) can just choose, mentally & emotionally, to end one.

What's the point of this thread? It's easy to be hard on people who are already on their low-point in life. Nobody who is addicted is it because it's 'all fun and games'. The problem is that some people are mentally-hardwired to be prone to addiction (which includes many artists). Those and many people with 'aquired' mental illnesses like PTSD (for example rape victims and veterans) take drugs to self-medicate (often because society doesn't care about them) and end up heavily addicted. Instead of pointing at people for being 'weak', society should offer therapy and rehabilitation.

It's still their choice to take drugs, just like i choose NOT to take drugs. My friend has mental health issues and she hasn't turned to drugs.

this doesn't prove anything, except that your friend doesn't have substance abuse problems. it doesn't explain why others in similar situations do.

do you really think it's as simple as all that, though?

What's the point of this thread? It's easy to be hard on people who are already on their low-point in life. Nobody who is addicted is it because it's 'all fun and games'. The problem is that some people are mentally-hardwired to be prone to addiction (which includes many artists). Those and many people with 'aquired' mental illnesses like PTSD (for example rape victims and veterans) take drugs to self-medicate (often because society doesn't care about them) and end up heavily addicted. Instead of pointing at people for being 'weak', society should offer therapy and rehabilitation.

Yes i do. I've been through more than most at my age. Not once did i think of doing drugs.

you keep talking about yourself when you talk about drug addiction but this isn't about you. you obviously aren't a drug addict, you can't relate to how it is for them, because believe it or not, not everyone is the same. the fact that you think it's as simple as 'just don't do drugs' proves that

You're entitled to your opinion and i'm entitled to mine.