I've wondered if one of the problems with quitting an addictive substance is a loss of memory. Memory is often tied to setting, and being under the influence i

I've wondered if one of the problems with quitting an addictive substance is a loss of memory. Memory is often tied to setting, and being under the influence is part of setting. Remove the setting and the memories associated with it won't surface as often. (There is a common memory hack used to remember facts which is to envision a room or place you know well and "place" objects in it that correspond to what you want to remember. When you want to recall the facts you visit your memory room and the objects you've placed in it trigger recall.) So it seems like removing the "setting" of an addictive substance might also reduce the memories associated with it. In essence you would lose a part of your life, a piece of the person you were. That could be a net good thing for some people, but a net bad thing for others. If I remember correctly science has also shown that people who drink alcohol are more forgiving of others, which implies that people who quit drinking become meaner. There has been some theorizing that some addictive substances can (at least temporarily until physical side effects become detrimental) improve the creative output of artists. This is all just conjecture on my part, but it does seem possible that there are ramifications to quitting addiction that medical science has not considered yet and which may have an important influence on peoples ability to quit.