This rings almost true for me - but “addiction” makes it seem like some sort of personal failing, whereas I think the cost of that backtracking and the probability of finding another Balrog in the woodpile later makes it seem like a perfectly reasonable choice.

Source: been there, done that.

Yea, addiction is the wrong word, its hyperbole.

It is perfectly reasonable under the constraint of J Pierpoint Morgan's dictum:

"I don't want it perfect, I want it by Thursday"