I completely disagree. Addiction is not a disease, it is a choice. People CHOOSE to buy and use illicit drugs, or abuse alcohol. So, they can CHOOSE not to do it, as MANY more than not actually do choose!  Disease isn't a choice, chemical abuse is. Let's not give anyone any more excuses for doing bad things to themselves, their families and their communities. If you CHOOSE to do bad things, you will reap what you sow ... disaster and death. Unfortunately, those bad choices hurt other people, hurts the entire community at large. Calling it a disease is a cop out!  A disease is a pathological condition with identifiable causes such as infection, toxins or genetic defect. You don't get to choose if you get TB or cancer!  Pretty simple. In fact, in western religions and laws, we've got the freedom to choose, and the birthright of all humans is free will, free agency.  MAKE GOOD CHOICES! Choose right, choose wrong, it's still all about choice.