"They say that alcoholics are always alcoholics..."

I'm listening to Ani DiFranco's song 'Fuel' -- there's a verse about alcoholics:
"And they say that alcoholics are always alcoholics
Even when they're as dry as my lips for years
Even when they're stranded on a small desert island
With no place within 2,000 miles to buy beer"

The same with being "a smoker" -- one intentional inhale and you're forever a smoker.

It's wrong to apply a permanent label, especially when it comes to addiction. A smoker who has quit (truly quit) is not a smoker, an alcoholic who has quit (truly quit) is not a drinker. They were smokers and drinkers. Were -- past tense. At best, they always have a predilection towards addictive substances. But to insist that an alcoholic is always an alcoholic is completely negating, no, outright denying, the victory over the addiction, as well as the self-discipline (necessarily) developed to achieve that victory.

Once a liar, always a liar. Once a thief, always a thief."

The same can be said for behaviors. Because a man lies as a youth makes him a liar -- in his youth. If 5 years later, the man doesn't lie, he is no longer a liar. He was a liar, but has changed his character. It is an incorrect to apply a title from years ago under the assumption that because he lied once, he'll lie again.

Such permanent titles do not allow the individual to change, to better themselves. Such permanent titles to not allow others to change their opinions based on new actions.

Such titles do not allow for the individual to develop their moral character, their virtue.