Depression & Addiction are a disease, not a character flaw

Journal Entry from 8/13/14 - I wrote this in my journal after hearing and reading about Robin Williams committing suicide.  Now I find myself fighting this same arguement for my son Tommy who took his life on 8/18/14.   

I used to be one of those people that used to think that Addiction and Depression were a choice.  I mean it’s as easy as you decide to be happy and you are.  You decide to stop drinking or doing drugs and you’re done, but it’s really not that simple.  Unless you have experienced it, you can never truly understand.  Addiction and depression are terrible illnesses/diseases.  Both are a brutal condition that has no principles or boundaries.  It’s selfish and can be extremely fierce towards other people, putting friendships and relationships to the test and we will never understand why.  When you have an addiction or depression you essentially become trapped inside your own prison and any access to your brain lies behind that sealed door.  Sometimes, you are allowed outside to have a moment of "normal" life but most of the time it’s temporary. Depression and addiction are a disease, not a character flaw.  It doesn’t mean the person is weak or crazy. They have a real illness which is caused by a chemical imbalance within their brain.  Sadly sometimes this battle is lost and the host submits to the control and takes their life to end the extreme pain they feel.