[header] How to understand addiction [title] Recognize that addiction is a disease, not a choice. [step] People used to consider addiction a sign of weakness, a lack of willpower, or poor morality. However, today addiction is considered a disease because of the way it affects the brain. 
Approaching addiction in this way can make it easier for you to help an addict. [substeps] People who become addicted to substances and/or behaviors require treatment to stop engaging in the addictive behavior, but the treatment is not always medical.