The disease of addiction and other mental illnesses.

• Author: Goetz, Roger A.

`Understanding the complex nature of the disease of addiction is critical to an attorney, member of the judiciary, or members of government who protect our citizens.'

Addiction appears voluntary, spiteful, pathetic, frightening. The behavior that it causes surrounds its victims with violence, degradation, guilt, anger, hopelessness and death. Until the advent of technology that permitted the study of the internal mechanisms of brain cells and neurological tracks, the disease of addiction had been called sinful, possession by the devil, a character weakness, a symptom of serious psychiatric disorders, or the result of stupidity.

The devastating effects of intoxication were recorded by Moses in ancient times, yet the difference between episodic intoxication and the chronic debilitating nature of addiction was not recognized until the 17th century. Unfortunately, as we prepare to enter into the 21st century, the attitudes of the 18th and 19th centuries persist. The myths of history have hindered the proper management of the disorders of addiction and remain an emotional issue to this day.

As with most mental disorders, even intelligent and educated people are taken aback by the associated violence. They are often confused by the paradox of rigid control of the affected person to protect society while simultaneously providing care and protection to the victims who have the disease. To protect society and control the disease, the physician and the lawyer must be a team to provide leadership and guidance to society. Understanding the complex nature of the diseases of addiction is critical to an attorney, member of the judiciary, or members of government who protect our citizens.

The intense governmental and research efforts exerted during the epidemic of substance abuse and addiction during the last half of the 20th century have led to clarification of the differences between intermittent intoxication and the disease of addiction. According to studies by the National Institutes of Health, addiction is a multi-factorial biogenetic disorder that affects approximately 14 percent of the United States population. It is as involuntary as other medical conditions.

The addition of certain chemicals (i.e., alcohol, narcotics) to the genetic substructure permits the activation of the illness of addiction. As in many illnesses with a genetic substrate, such as diabetes, some forms of heart disease and arteriosclerosis, the genetic potential to develop the...