Depends on the cause of the addiction. MOST (not all) addicts are 'self medicating' meaning they are using a drug to 'feel good' because life for them without the drug 'feels bad'. EXAMPLE: I would drink mostly in the summer and turn to meth mostly in the winter months. After I stopped using I was diagnoses with SAD - Seasonal Depression - Winter Depression. Meth use for me was to 'treat' the sadness of the dark, cold bitter months that I loath and hate. Many of the people who share in meetings have similar stories - their addiction was used to 'treat' an underlying condition. Certain people are drawn to certain drugs for their effects. Many who use meth do so because they are seeking an up - meth also makes them more sociable, makes them able to dance all night. Post meth addicts usually are quiet and shy and have issues with social settings. Meth use helped them to get around the social anxieties they have/had. Addiction is most likely a mental health issue. A 'normal' person has no need to use any drug to 'feel good' or to deal with their life. Many are functional drug users - meaning they are able to use and maintain a job, a household, pay bills, and 'function' in society for years if not decades. I know a few who are in their late 50's who have regularly used meth starting in their 20's. They have everything a normal person has, house, job, car(s) etc. I also know a few who in their 20's are homeless, jobless and hopeless. They are 'crippled' by their addiction. In the first case the functional addict is not 'crippled' by their addiction thus are not 'handicapped' as we would understand that to mean. In the later case the addict is so caught up in drugs that they are crippled and unable (not so much unwilling) to maintain house, job, etc.