Addiction: The disease that lies →

Cory Monteith struggled with substance abuse for most of his life. Experts say escaping the disease is difficult.

Editor’s note: Dr. Marvin Seppala is the chief medical officer of Hazelden, a private not-for-profit alcohol and drug addiction treatment organization. He’s the author of “Clinician’s Guide to the Twelve Step Principles.”

(CNN) – Anytime I hear about a death that may be linked to addiction, I am reminded that this is a misunderstood and deadly disease. Deaths caused by addiction have risen astronomically in the past decade. Drug overdose is now the No.1 cause of accidental death in the United States; more common than death by car accidents.

“Glee” actor Cory Monteith, who was found dead at a Vancouver hotel on Saturday, had said that he struggled with substance abuse since his teenage years. The cause of his death is not yet known; medical examiners were set to perform an autopsy Monday.Whenever someone with addiction dies, I grieve the lost potential and wonder about the limitations of our ability to address this cunning, baffling and powerful disease.

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