Is the saying, "Once an addict, always an addict" true?

No, it is never true. When you are an addict, society will always see you as that, but if you really quit, if you give your efforts on it, you will eventually overcome the addiction and leave it behind. Don't let society tell you what you are based on the mistakes you commited in the past.

Yes, but there is a fine line in this saying. Once a certain marker in the brain has surpass, addiction has settled in, and the brain can never go back to its original physiological state. That's why all addicts are continuously in recovery.

A person should not be referred to as an "addict", but rather a person with an addiction. An addiction does not define who you are. Addictions can be completely overcome, though it is very difficult.

Very not true! That's why there is rehab! :D Addiction, well it's a very difficult habit to break but it's definitely curable. I was an alcoholic and I've been alcohol free for several months now. I still drink occasionally but I've got control now :)

In the broad sense, the answer is generally yes. But, like the many different personality types, there are different types of addicts. Some people try drugs and never get hooked, other people try them and get addicted either immediately or over time. Once you have been addicted to something, you know that you now have the capacity to be an addict. Regarding personality type, there are many ways "always being an addict" will show itself. For some people, they constantly need to remind themselves of the possibility of addiction, other people can struggle, get clean, but then never pick up a drug or drink again, with others having multiple relapses. So, because we have seen that sometimes people do drugs and not get addicted, the fact that you are or were once an addict shows that you it doesn't matter if you use drugs tomorrow or ten years from now, there is always the very real, likely chance that you will get addicted again, and you should be vigilant of that.

I cannot speak for everyone, but I can speak from my own personal experience with addiction I was a ice and GHB addict, and while I don't refer to myself as a drug addict now, I know how easy it was to fall back into that darkness. I will always be a recovering addict. That's one thing that will never change. I will never wake up one day and just magically be fully recovered. I will always have the temptation of wanting to use again, especially when things go bad in life. Although, this doesn't mean I will or won't use again. It's all about how the brain works, and also how we control our temptations. Control is everything. I keep myself out of those situations and keep myself away from triggers. I check myself and my actions constantly to make sure I am doing what is best for everyone and not what I think is best at the moment. Because of this, I will forever be an addict. So while I may not always be a drug addict, the danger is always present and I need to be aware of that. I think that is what that statement really means.

I believe this statement is not true, I believe it is only demeaning. When you are labeled an addict, it means a person who is addicted to a substance or to take on an activity that is usually harmful to the point of obsession. Nowhere in that definition does it say it’s permanent. Yes, your addiction may have the power to absorb you, mentally, emotionally, and is usually physically, but that doesn’t mean you cannot reform. An addiction is a hard thing to just shake off, it’s a mental illness that needs to be treated with care and persistence. If you seriously want to change, and you’ve accepted that you have a problem, you’re one step closer to remission and you have a higher chance of getting rid of that title. Remember, it’s not impossible to change if you give it your all and understand that your addiction is a problem that effects you unhealthy and others unhealthy.

No that saying is so not true. People change, the world is constantly changing and so are people and nothing ever stays the same.

The thing with addiction is it's really hard to talk about to begin with--- And addicts, whether or not they give in, at least in my experience they have told me the craving/desire to do that behaviour is still there. I've had friends that are former drug or alcohol abusers and/or addicts and they said that even though they cleaned up their act...they have to avoid those triggers. And so instead of doing those bad habits, they've replaced them with something else...one friend of mine is addicted ot exercise now, but how one is wired can play a huge role as well...There are those that may be more prone to addiction because of personality, environment, etc. But it is rather common for this phrase to be a true ringer.