There's been a modern divergence in thinking on how to treat various addictions to substances. The old 28-day treatment and AA ever-after absolute abstinence plan is completely without individuality or spectrum thinking. I was reading a piece in the NYT by an alcoholic on the holidays and how he avoids parties so as to avoid drinking, and saw his two references to the modern skeptics of AA/absolutism: Drink/Link and Moderation Management. Although it may be possible that some people's brains are too tuned to alcohol to enjoy it moderately (which he self-identifies with), it has to be true that there is a spectrum to the "disease" of alcoholism just as with any other. Those on the "less sick" side of it can almost certainly receive a different treatment method.
From my own background and the people I've known who have been on other substances than alcohol or pot, there is probably a very different truth about addiction to opioids and such. I would apply zero tolerance there, in fact, as these drugs don't have the same pharmacology and cannot be "enjoyed moderately" as pot and alcohol might.
(BTW: Jim Atkinson wrote two other interesting pieces on drinking here and here)
On a slightly tangential note (but still drug-related), last night my wife and I watched an interesting program called "Marijuana Nation" on NGC and I was fascinated and educated. It went through a number of issues on medical marijuana, the federal vs. state legal clashes, the way growers use state parks and trash natural resources, and inside a professional growing operation that has to be one of the most scientifically-advanced in the country. It almost makes one want to have another dance with Mary Jane, and if not with her, then an interesting evening with a toadstool.
