And those people would be the first to tell you that it almost always wins, because it likely did until they finally kicked it.

> I personally know people

survivorship bias. You dont know all the people who succumbed to it because they're dead.

Which is why I used the word "almost"

Many heroin addicts started the addiction process when a physician prescribed them opioid painkillers after an injury or surgery. They get hooked, and then when they can't obtain prescription drugs anymore they turn to heroin (or similar illegal drugs) as the only available option to satisfy their addiction.

Probably the same thing that goes though someone's mind when they drive drunk, or dont wear a seatbelt, ride a motorcycle without a helmet, or partake in any other risky behavior: I saw someone do it before and they were fine, nothing bad will happen to me, I can do it safely. Taking one dose of herion won't instantly kill you, thats why it's so insidious. You can take it many times and there will be no consequences. But it takes ahold of you before you know it, and at that point its too late to simply stop. check out /r/opiates if you want to take a peek into an opiate addict's life