There's an obvious difference here.

If the addict can't find drugs anymore, he can't use them.

If the alcoholic can't find alcohol anymore, he can't drink it.

If the gambler can't find slot machines, he can't gamble.

If the overeater can't find food, he can't eat.

The same can't be said for depressed and unmotivated people - there's nothing you can take away from them in order to keep them from suffering depression or demotivation.

Since they themselves can't take those things away from themselves for their own good, the addic, the alcoholic, the gambler and the overeater really suffer from the same problem, lack of self-control.

EDIT: atwebb:

Since having self-control would suffice to stop using drugs, drinking alcohol, gambling, and overeating, therefore one who can't stop doing any of those has to be lacking self-control.

Tell me where you got lost in that argument.

>lack of self-control

I don't know where you come from, I don't know what life you've led and things you've seen.

In my experiences, self-control is hardly the actual problem. The addictions/compulsions are manifestations of the depression or the lack of self-worth or mental imbalances or personal issue X.

>Unmotivated? Just try harder

Or my personal favorite, "Work harder."

Yes, absolutely -- but all of these ills, as with obesity, are possibly even more ill-served by an acceptance movement.

You seem to have confused promoting positive health decisions among obese individuals notwithstanding the amount of food they consume, and the acceptance of obesity as a healthy condition in itself. However much some have misinterpreted "Healthy at Every Size," the former is its organizing principle.

We agree though I'd phrase it as, acceptance being the most important part. The individual accepting their status/issue/persona and not society acquiescing. It's all very specific and personal.