The term 毒瘾 (dúyǐn) cannot be fully understood without knowing its historical context in China. The Opium Wars (鸦片战争, Yāpiàn Zhànzhēng) in the mid-19th century, where Britain forced opium on China, led to widespread addiction and is considered the start of China's “Century of Humiliation” (百年国耻, Bǎinián Guóchǐ). This history has ingrained a deep-seated societal and governmental aversion to narcotics, viewing them not just as a personal health issue but as a threat to national stability and sovereignty. Unlike the growing Western view of addiction primarily as a medical disease requiring compassionate treatment, the perspective in China is often more complex. While the medical aspect is recognized, a strong element of moral failing and social deviance remains. 毒瘾 is seen as a weakness that harms not only the individual but also their family and society. Consequently, the social stigma is immense, and the legal penalties for drug-related crimes are among the harshest in the world. This zero-tolerance policy is a direct legacy of the historical trauma associated with opium.
毒瘾 (dúyǐn) is a formal and serious term. Its usage is almost exclusively limited to discussions about illegal narcotics.