I think that whenever we assume that addicts are slaves to alcohol or cocaine or meth, we're infantilizing them. As soon as we assume that all of their decisions are being made by the drug, and not them, they're effectively children. I don't buy that.
Well said, Snert. Speaking as someone who has numerous family members who have substance abuse issues, I absolutely concur. When somebody tells me "It was the alcohol talking", it drives me batty. The thinking was already there, the alcohol (or whatever substance) just removed the editor.