The confusion arises from defining addiction as something a person IS, rather than something a person DOES. A person can “be” an alcoholic even though he never touches booze. A person can be an addict without ever using drugs.
Behaviorists would disagree.
The “being” part may not be a choice, any more than a person chooses to be diabetic or have cancer. But the “doing” — drinking, using, gambling, etc. — those are choices.
That is a valid point, IronJack.