--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: These diseases, both alcoholism and…" description: "\"These diseases, both alcoholism and addiction, much like bipolar or depression and different illnesses, are still not seen as real diseases. People shy..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/jim-irsay-20032_addiction_these-diseases-both-alcoholism-and-addic_302903.jpg" --- # These diseases, both alcoholism and addiction, much like… ![“These diseases, both alcoholism and addiction, much like bipolar or depression and different illnesses, are still not seen as real diseases. People shy away from seeking help because it's viewed as being somewhat morally off the path, that they've lost their way.” quote by Jim Irsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/jim-irsay-20032_addiction_these-diseases-both-alcoholism-and-addic_302903.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/jim-irsay-20032_addiction_these-diseases-both-alcoholism-and-addic_302903.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/885/jim-irsay-20032_addiction_these-diseases-both-alcoholism-and-addic_302903.jpg) > “These diseases, both alcoholism and addiction, much like bipolar or depression and different illnesses, are still not seen as real diseases. People shy away from seeking help because it's viewed as being somewhat morally off the path, that they've lost their way.” [Jim Irsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-irsay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Addiction and mental illness are often dismissed as moral failures, preventing people from seeking help. **In simple terms:** Society sees addiction as moral flaw, not illness. Key Takeaway Shift perception to view them as medical conditions. Themes stigma mental health addiction Mood empathetic urgent Type social policy When to use this quote - healthcare access - public policy - community support - education programs Key Concepts public health sociology Questions to Reflect On - How can we reduce stigma? - What policies support treatment over judgment? A Different Perspective Changing deep‑rooted stigma is slow and complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Seeking help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeking-help/) ## Related quotes > [I really think the disease aspect gets lost when you're talking about alcoholism and addiction; it's not like you're battling leukemia or a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-irsay/i-really-think-the-disease-aspect-gets-lost-when-you-re-talking-about/) [Jim Irsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-irsay/) > [We need to know more about how group A strep interact with humans to cause so many different illnesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-fauci/we-need-to-know-more-about-how-group-a-strep-interact-with-humans-to/) [Anthony Fauci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-fauci/) > [Of course, there are diseases of which people die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-lang/of-course-there-are-diseases-of-which-people-die/) [Serge Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-lang/) > [The worst thing you can do for your loved one caught in alcoholism or addiction is to help the person continue in the deception…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-t-anderson/the-worst-thing-you-can-do-for-your-loved-one-caught-in-alcoholism-or/) [Neil T Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-t-anderson/) > [“Alcoholism or addiction is a disease because it fits the definition of disease. 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