It seems some are genetically disposed to addiction. I never touched heroin, coke or any such drugs. I did dabble with pot and LSD. It however was a big time drunk in my late teens. I have had delirium tremors and withdrawal symptoms. My buddy and I would drink beer for beer, for several years. He went on to become a full blow alcoholic. He eventually found religion and sobered up. For what ever reason I was able to walk away and can still enjoy a glass of wine or nice beer, gout willing. The demon never got to me. That is no brag, just plain simple luck.
Back on topic, there is no doubt one of our greatest failures is how we treat addicts. Booze, heroine, gambling, whatever. We need to move one direction or the other; either make a concerted effort to help them, or completely cut them free, allow then to perish and eventually the genes will diminish.
As it is we are enabling misery. We kid ourselves that we are doing any real good. Our jails are crammed with druggies, and our homeless shelters. Thats not treatment and its not humanitarian behavior.