So, I started playing this about the same time I started reading William S. Burroughs' first novel Junky .It's autobiographical, and tells about his fun tiemz with heroin and morphine. He has no regrets and says he's quit heroin more times then he could count on his hands. I haven't managed to get addicted to anything yet, although I did try and empty an inhaler for XP (an enriching experience I assure you). So I was reading Junky, and the physical aspect of withdrawls actually seems rather mild compared to what every form of media (minus TrainSpotting) has led me to believe. With the right implements and careful preparation on hand, heroin addiction is quite simple provided you can't find any more of it. Physical withdrawals are only described to take about five to eight days (this seems like weeks if you can't get any heroin, codeine, morphine or suboxone equivalents), and then you feel normal, and then some cravings afterwards. How is addiction handled in the game? Anything like this... at all? (First death due to zombie attracted by the sound of breaking into a house. making a note here: Break glass instead of using a shotgun for locked doors.)
Most withdrawal effects are fairly realistic. I don't wish to incriminate myself but I have first or second hand experience with most of the drug in Cataclysm, including withdrawals. In the case of the opioids in the game, addiction causes tolerance, and withdrawals involve a marked reduction in strength, and lesser reductions in perception and dexterity. It also causes minor pain (physical discomfort essentially), the shakes, anxiety/depression, and occasional vomiting. Like in real life, alcohol withdrawal is much worse, and can cause DTs.