Drug addiction and alcohol addiction is not a disease, but a choice. You do not have to be a passive bystander to an imaginary disease of drug addiction or alcohol addiction; give up your will; be labeled as an alcoholic or “in recovery”; or attend meetings and treatment for the rest of your life!

Those who struggle with alcohol addiction or drug addiction are finding that often the mainstream thinking isn’t helping them. Three or four alcohol or drug rehabs later, many counseling sessions attended, and hundreds or even thousands of dollars spent only to find out that relapse is a part of treatment and the drug or alcohol addiction “disease” is with you forever! What? Then why go? If something does not produce acceptable results, why continue in it?

Because we have been led to believe that drug addiction or alcohol addiction is a disease. We have been told that the only way to “recover” is to attend treatment and endless AA, NA meetings for the rest of our lives.

The truth is that most people who have had problems with alcohol addiction or drug addiction in the past quit on their own.

Even those currently struggling with drug addiction or alcohol addiction will tell you that they have often refrained from drug or alcohol use for a period of time.

There is no mysterious disease here, it is a matter of choice.

You are in complete control right now! No one is stopping you from cracking that beer, or sniffing that powder.

If you want to use alcohol or drugs, you will. Addicts always find a way.

So why is the alternative to using (not using) drugs or alcohol so difficult to comprehend? We can choose to pick up a beer whenever we fancy. But if we want to put that beer down, all of a sudden there are diseases, character defects, meetings, counseling treatment sessions, etc., to contend with!

Many who have had an alcohol addiction or drug addiction problem, have quit on their own and without all the drama and struggle!

There are vast amounts of information out there on the whole “recovery” process from drug addiction and alcohol addiction. With this vast information, I believe, we often lose sight of what matters most.

We may lose site of the individual differences and dignity of all who struggle with drug addiction or alcohol addiction to receive the kind of help that will be most beneficial for them to succeed in life. Diversity enhances life experiences and we should not limit ones options for success in “recovery” by presenting only one view of addiction. We are all free to choose and have every capability and tool necessary to live the life we dream without alcohol or drugs.

Read more from The Forgotten Five Steps

Drug addiction and alcohol addiction is a painful business. Because of the pain and struggle involved we may search endlessly for the one cause or cure to end the madness. We become afraid, and through this fear cling to any shred of evidence we can find to lift us from our state.

Is there one way to succeed in “recovery”? Who is right? Who is wrong?

When it is all said and done, it does not matter which path you take to end alcohol addiction or drug addiction. It’s your choice, your life. Find a way.

For whatever reason, you gave alcohol or drugs power and control. They served a purpose for you. This purpose allowed you the ability to control your fear and feelings of helplessness.

Relearning a healthy coping strategy may take time, and you will make mistakes. Don’t go to hard on yourself. Learn from your mistakes. You are more than your drug or alcohol addiction!

Those that struggle with drug addiction or alcohol addiction will continue to use until they are convinced that they can successfully live life without the use of alcohol or drugs.

Addiction as a choice does not avoid responsibility. Rather it acknowledges mistakes and enables ownership of positive change.