Originally Posted by
failedtaper 
I'd always considered chronic alcohol and drug abusers to be addicts. So, if they really don't care about quitting, then they aren't addicted? That's a real bone of contention, because a third party would have a hard time viewing that way, especially if said third party wanted the person to quit.
No, if they have zero interest in quitting, then they are not addicted. To use an example, I myself drink entirely too many espressos, and it would be ridiculous for me to say that I am not chemically dependent on caffeine, because I most certainly am. If I don't have caffeine, I suffer withdrawal, and every so often I do "detox" for a few days in order to lower my tolerance for it, but I have no interest in giving it up entirely. I am chemically dependent on caffeine by choice, and I accept the consequences of it, such as the calcium it undoubtedly leeches from my bones.