Addiction is no excuse for illegal behavior associated with obtaining drugs. Addicts don't care about their families, their jobs or anything else but getting off. There are hidden emotional reasons behind addict's behavior that are accessible and treatable. Psychotherapy can treat addictions. Uncovering repressed fantasies, desires, hatreds, and dreams removes addictions.
Psychoactive medications can treat addictions.
Aversive behaviors and medications successfully treat addictions. Acupuncture, aromatherapy, incarceration, boot camp, etc. are good treatments for addictions. Get rid of the addiction and the patient is successfully treated. You can teach someone not to become an addict. Heroin addiction is the hardest to overcome and has the worse prognosis.