I agree with @LennyP49. Often it is self-medication.

Is being gay a choice? I'd say no. Who would choose to be gay in this climate? Probably no one.

Similarly who would choose to be overweight, or be an alcoholic, drug addict, etc.

What kills most alcoholics is the belief that their drinking is a choice. Their pride won't let them admit to themselves that they have a subtle insanity. At certain times the real alcoholic has no mental defense against the first drink. He cannot bring into his mind, the suffering of a week or a month ago, with sufficient force to deter him from that first drink. These strange mental blank spots make it impossible for the real alcoholic to stay sober.

I know this is true because I have experienced it myself, many many times. Many times I have quit drinking, and really meant it. Only to drive by a bar a couple weeks later and my mind would go; "I'll just have a couple." And there I am, started drinking again. Nothing would come to my mind to remind me that I had promised myself that I would never take another drink as long as I lived. I repeated this over and over again, not understanding what was happening. Sobriety in not about will power. Oct. 22 of last year I celebrated 50 years of sobriety. Alcoholism is a deadly disease. If you have not been there, you do not know.

My mother was a drug counselor at a rehab center so i learned alot. Not only that but i had an severe addiction at one point and i made a choice to stop and i did. No rehap no meds no getting off slowly just point blank stopped

@Reaver85 , I'm glad for you, but, obviously, not everyone is like you. For many it is much more than a choice. Is depression a choice? Schizophrenia? When does your brain chemistry start taking your choice away from you? So, go ahead & pat yourself on the back for cleaning yourself up, just don't belittle those who have problems in this area that may have different or additional causes than you.

I have schizophrenia and depression ptsd and a few other things and i control everything without use of meds because i choose to. It is a struggle sometimes but weak people have excuses

I've always believed addiction is a behaviour, not a disease for the reason that saying you have no control over it a false claim. It abdicates responsibility. Driving that needle in your arm or lifting that bottle to your mouth is a voluntary action requiring a decision.

@Hominid I agree. The higher power against addiction is obviously self-purpose, and application of self - Esteem and building it through action.

I was merely being silly in my answer.

@Hominid The first time, I agree, maybe even the first few times. But for some, once the addiction takes hold, the "choices" become fewer & harder. Would you say someone with severe depression should just "get over it"?

@phxbillcee - apples and oranges. Severe depression is a brain chemistry imbalance and is considered a legit pathology correctable with medication.