Staying in Active Addiction Is a Choice Even If Addiction Isn’t a Choice

Staying in an active addiction is a choice. I know that's a controversial statement, but I believe it to be true. This is not to suggest that addiction itself is a choice -- it isn't -- addiction itself can be considered a mental illness, and an illness is never a choice. That said, when a person continues in their addiction, that is a choice. I wish people would acknowledge that. This becomes particularly salient for those with bipolar disorder as more than half of people with bipolar disorder abuse substances.