There are no drug addicts, any more than they are chocolate addicts, food addicts, sex addicts or gambling addicts. There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to take drugs, and those who choose not to.
This becomes obvious when considering so called 'long term heroin addicts'.
Firstly all physical symptoms of heroin withdrawal are gone in 5 days. These physical symptoms are not worse than a bout of influenza. There is frequently sleeplessness, weakness, shaking, any maybe irritation. Sometimes there is nausea and vomiting. Many of us suffer such a 'flu' every year or two. It's uncomfortable, but really no big deal.
The vast majority of 'long term heroin addicts' have not continually taken heroin for many years - they have had significant abstinence periods between periods of heavy use. Yet these people continually choose to break their abstinence and begin to take heroin again.
Whenever they choose to break their abstinence, they are not victims of the drug - simply people who make a choice, and arguably a far more, and informed choice than those of us who have never taken the drug.
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