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

In a way, yes. The addiction never really leaves. You'll always remember the good but not always the baad. You might relapse a couple times, and that's normal. But it'll never seem as clear as it did.

That is a really good question, it really depends on the persons personality. If someone has an addictive personality, then they are more likely to fall to another addiction.

Not at all. Depending on the situation though. People can change! It happens! Not many things are impossible! You just keep pushing yourself! Take it step by step, day by day focus on today and only today! Don't worry about tommorow! Get though today first! And DONT GIVE UP!!!

No, this isn't true. Addicts do have a tendency to go back, but some people have true self control. It is very hard for them to do so, so if you see an addict that is clean, congratulate them, because they worked very hard to get there. Many people you see on the street have been addicts once in their life, and still are. Many people struggle all their life over an addiction. It doesn't have to be drugs or alcohol either. You can be addicted too many things, such as sleeping, coffee, and many other things. If you see yourself becoming addicted to something, get help.

I think that phrase is very pessimistic. It's true that addiction becomes a part of your life and so does the battle against it. But you are a person not a label. Your addiction is something you struggle with but it does not define who you are as a whole or what you're worth. It's like ADHD some people have it and they live with it. It doesn't define who they are. If anything it makes you stronger. Dont give up. I know it's hard but mental illness is hard does not mean you cant cope with it so be compassionate towards yourself.

Yes and No. Yes: Recovering addicts have a predisposition to getting either readdicted to their DOC or getting addicted to a new drug. No: If living a successful life in recovery, you have cut out all the influences that put you on the path to addiction in the first place, then your odds of relapsing are greatly reduced. As a recovering addict, I can say that it is a journey, both physical and spiritual. I had to move away from the town I grew up in and have limited contact with certain members of my family to get over my addictions. It isn't always easy and some days I miss the "fun" I had, but then I look at my new friends and chosen family, and I realize that my life is much better now.

Addiction can be a symptom rather then a diagnosis. I have a friend how is trying to sort through things from his past and many other issues distract and take priority over. It seems like everything he does turns into an addiction. (maybe compulsion) When he used to drink he drank hard and often then needed to quit. When he was injured in an accident he was prescribed pain pills and before long he had an opioid addiction. He did get fired from a job once for what he described as a porn addiction. When he's not consuming any substances he treats religion like a substance. He's treated jobs this way as well. He smokes weed and says he does it for the pain that he can no longer take pills for. I've smoked week longer then he's been alive and we purchased and split an ounce once and a week later he called and asked if I wanted to go in on another bag. I had plenty and said I would be good for at least a month. I don't believe the addiction is the problem for him. I hope he can one day resolve the problem and get out of the cycle he is in. I would hate to see him get his hands on something more dangerous.