Yours is a common opinion which I also shared at one time.
However, I’ve recently researched this question & learned the facts are somewhat different.
While it’s true that the initial decision to imbibe in addictive drugs is a bad *choice* which can be attributed to low character, in fact, it’s more likely attributable to ignorance of the *physiological* nature of addiction.
Addicts as a rule do not intend to become addicted. Every addict thinks he can “try it once or twice,” use occasionally & stop at will.
But addictive drugs literally & very quickly burn through the brain receptors which deliver pleasure responses, which in turn triggers a craving —a need— for more.
The brain is literally changed & the differences between before & after drug use show up on brain scans.
For instance, the brain’s of methamphetamine addicts resemble those of schizophrenics. Drug use *physically* alters the brain *structure* in ways that *cause* psychosis, beyond the addict’s willful control. When addiction takes hold, the addict no longer has any choice.
The brain *can* begin to rebuild itself & heal, but it takes many months, even years, & this requires outside intervention to prevent the addict’s access to the drugs, as well a to provide palliative antidotes.
Yes. I get all that. But ultimately, no matter what anyone says or does, only the individual can make the change, can CHOOSE to be and do differently than they have been doing. That was my point, though I may not have expressed it well.