I did think about my comment. I've watched my family tear itself apart over addiction so I know what I'm talking about. It's not a DISEASE. It's an ADDICTION. I've explained the differences before, many times. There is no misconception here. And it's not 'ignorant stigma' to tell the truth. I've watched people get handed chance after chance by people practically falling over themselves to help, and they walked away! By CHOICE. Some of the very same stories on ADN were from addicts who stated in the article itself, their own words, they went through the motions to get past the treatment they were ordered to undergo and the first thing they did on release for 'completion of treatment' was *Go* - *Get* - *High*.

The very first step - the Addict MUST make the choice to STOP. Without that, nothing changes. Society continues paying the price for that person's decision to keep using. Regardless of their excuses, shakes, sweats, withdrawal pain, whatever, they continue to CHOOSE to USE.