Do you think addiction is a health condition?

Yes. The consensus in medicine and public health is that addiction is a health condition — specifically a chronic, relapsing disorder that affects the brain and behavior.

Key points:
- Definitions: Major authorities (DSM-5, WHO, American Medical Association, National Institute on Drug Abuse) classify substance use disorders and certain behavioral addictions (e.g., gambling disorder) as medical/mental-health conditions.
- Biology and behavior: Repeated substance use or compulsive behaviors change brain circuits involved in reward, motivation, stress, and self-control (e.g., prefrontal cortex and reward pathways). Those changes make it hard to stop despite harmful consequences.
- Biopsychosocial nature: Biological factors interact with psychological (trauma, mental health) and social factors (environment, access, stigma). So treatment usually combines medical, psychological, and social supports.
- Course and treatment: Addiction is often chronic and relapsing but treatable. Approaches include medications, psychotherapy, harm reduction, social support, and addressing co-occurring conditions.
- Stigma and responsibility: Calling addiction a health condition doesn’t remove personal responsibility, but it shifts response toward care and evidence-based treatment rather than punishment and blame.

If you want, I can summarize the neuroscience in more detail, list treatment options, or point to reputable resources.