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Calls to destigmatize addiction have been widely circulated. Removing or reducing society’s disapproval appeals to addicted people for obvious reasons: It removes one of the penalties for their destructive behavior. Many addicted people would prefer to continue indulging in their illicit pleasures while enjoying the respect and sympathy of society, rather than being condemned as selfish, weak-willed individuals who put their own short-term pleasures ahead of the well-being of family, self, and society (Davies, 1997; Peele, 1998). Regarding addicted people as unfortunate victims of disease is a much more sympathetic perspective, not least because it absolves them of responsibility. The case for destigmatization has been bolstered by arguments that addicted people have no control over their actions, that the addictive indulgences just happen to them without their consent and indeed possibly against their will. This …