Addiction is a disease. The physical and mental cravings are so strong that it can be hard to overcome. That said, this is not an excuse. It's a reason.

That said, a person with a disease needs to seek treatment to get it under control or cured. If she chooses not to get treatment, then she can expect to live with the consequences of her disease.

I think the perfect come-back to an addict who says they have a disease is to tell them to go to a professional and get treated for it, just like they would with any other disease. That's a choice that may be more under their control than their impulse to use.

I think the important thing is that the addict must suffer the consequences as much as possible and not the family. Many times this is hard due to certain circumstances other times not as hard ...
You do the harm ..you do the consequence.

I often use the word disease in my discussions and in my life. You are correct it can be used as an excuse but lets face it an individual with this disorder can use the sun shining and being alive as an excuse. That should not change the fact that it is a disease but your mother can choose to behave in ways that can help support her recovery or support her disease. SHe does have a choice. I can choose to let my diabetes control me or I can choose to take care of myself. Those facts do not change that it is a disease. I hope you can find peace and acceptance for your benefit not for your mother.....for you!

I have struggled with this, too. I've been to AA meetings with my girlfriend, and I see a distinct difference between those who use the disease as an excuse vs those who accept that while they have a disease, they also have a choice. Those who use it as an excuse seem to still lead difficult lives as a "dry drunk". Sadly, I think my girlfriend is one who uses it as an excuse, and tends to get frustrated with those who tell her she needs to change her attitude, and instead gravitates towards those who are generally unhappy and struggle with life and validate her own struggles. She has a hard time accepting that she ultimately still makes the choices for herself. I've actually heard her say to other people who may be struggling, "it's okay - I've done that too, it's just another part of the disease."

My personal belief is that addiction is usually not a disease on its own, rather it is a symptom of a deeper mental illness whereby the addict truly has unstoppable feelings of self hatred or uncomfortableness in their own skin. They may quit the drug or the alcohol, but the underlying problem is still there and they find another outlet to soothe themselves. It's not until that underlying problem is addressed before a person starts accepting their role in their own addictive behaviors.