There is an argument that addictions don’t make you happy – they entrap you in a cycle of endless obsession with no real satisfaction. Remember enjoyment and desire don’t always coincide. But while that’s surely true for some things people become addicted to, if addiction merely entails strong ongoing craving, why should the subjects of such cravings tend to be unpleasant more so than less serious desires?
For these reasons I recently set out to acquire an addiction to weed, a not particularly dangerous drug. It’s not very strong yet; I do alright without weed for long periods, but feel relieved and invigorated for having it. So far this seems a great benefit, compared both to casually and unaffectedly smoking weed and to not smoking weed at all. However if I say to people that I’m somewhat addicted to weed they usually express pity. If I say I think it’s a fine arrangement they seem to think I’m silly.