Pretty much everyone is addicted to something . The perception of that addiction comes down to how sociably acceptable it is and the addicts ability to support themselves . If you have someone who is addicted to coffee , but makes a six figure salary , owns a mansion and a Ferrari ...it's unlikely society will look down on them . An actor called Dean Martin many years ago was much loved even though he was an alcoholic . He could afford to be an alcoholic and operated ok . Alcohol was also more sociably acceptable . WWII British prime minister Winston Churchill was addicted to cigars and whiskey , yet because of his ability to operate in his environment it's not frowned upon in history .
Society sharpens its knives if your addiction starts to effect your life , means you need others assistance either financially or emotionally . You get viewed as weak. Also the substance your addicted to and the way society views it at the time has a bearing . Humans can be a flawed and downright nasty species at times . I just choose to accept that as a fact more than wonder why it is .