This model of addiction (chemical dependency + wanting the freedom to make bad choices) is not at all backed up by modern research, and reads like it is severel

This model of addiction (chemical dependency + wanting the freedom to make bad choices) is not at all backed up by modern research, and reads like it is severely lacking in compassion and empathy for people who suffer from addictions - I feel sad hearing you call these people "bullshit artists" and labeling something that so powerfully controls and hurts millions of people (e.g. nicotine) "pathetic". Is it up to you to dictate what other people's experiences are? If someone has a crippling addiction to sex (a non-substance oriented addiction), do you believe that you can tell them that what they are saying is "nonsense" and that it actually isn't an addiction, and that they just need to "have more willpower". How is that in any way helpful? If you are open to hearing about what the medical, psychotherapeutic, and academic communities have been learning and working on in the past few decades around addiction research and treatment, A good place to start is the work of Dr. Gabor Maté: https://drgabormate.com/topic/addiction/ https://drgabormate.com/topic/addiction/.