Yes indeed...I believe that remorse and self- loathing are at the core of my sons heroin addiction as well. When he's working his 4th step and has to face all the horrible things he's done this is when he is most vulnerable to relapse. Every day that he uses just adds to the burden. I can only imagine how much worse it would be if he had a child to worry about NOT being there for. It's just a vortex of shame that keeps them shackled.
Yes I definitely believe they feel remorse--but not when they're high!