diff --git a/src/addiction.cpp b/src/addiction.cpp
index 99ff6ee038641..9ee3537f4a386 100644
--- a/src/addiction.cpp
+++ b/src/addiction.cpp
@@ -283,3 +283,35 @@ void add_type::check_add_types()
         }
     }
 }
+
+std::string add_type_legacy_conv( std::string const &v )
+{
+    if( v == "CAFFEINE" ) {
+        return "caffeine";
+    } else if( v == "ALCOHOL" ) {
+        return "alcohol";
+    } else if( v == "SLEEP" ) {
+        return "sleeping pill";
+    } else if( v == "PKILLER" ) {
+        return "opiate";
+    } else if( v == "SPEED" ) {
+        return "amphetamine";
+    } else if( v == "CIG" ) {
+        return "nicotine";
+    } else if( v == "COKE" ) {
+        return "cocaine";
+    } else if( v == "CRACK" ) {
+        return "crack";
+    } else if( v == "MUTAGEN" ) {
+        return "mutagen";
+    } else if( v == "DIAZEPAM" ) {
+        return "diazepam";
+    } else if( v == "MARLOSS_R" ) {
+        return "marloss_r";
+    } else if( v == "MARLOSS_B" ) {
+        return "marloss_b";
+    } else if( v == "MARLOSS_Y" ) {
+        return "marloss_y";
+    }
+    return {};
+}
diff --git a/src/addiction.h b/src/addiction.h
index 0c0e65f98496b..2dd2eb7ddae4b 100644
--- a/src/addiction.h
+++ b/src/addiction.h
@@ -71,6 +71,8 @@ class addiction
         bool run_effect( Character &u );
 };
 
+std::string add_type_legacy_conv( std::string const &v );
+
 // Minimum intensity before effects are seen
 constexpr int MIN_ADDICTION_LEVEL = 3;
 constexpr int MAX_ADDICTION_LEVEL = 20;
diff --git a/src/savegame_json.cpp b/src/savegame_json.cpp
index 080efdb7694c6..22e99a55352de 100644
--- a/src/savegame_json.cpp
+++ b/src/savegame_json.cpp
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 #include "activity_actor.h"
 #include "activity_actor_definitions.h"
 #include "activity_type.h"
+#include "addiction.h"
 #include "assign.h"
 #include "auto_pickup.h"
 #include "avatar.h"
@@ -4401,8 +4402,16 @@ void cata_variant::deserialize( JsonIn &jsin )
         *this = cata_variant::make<cata_variant_type::bool_>( jsin.get_bool() );
     } else {
         jsin.start_array();
-        if( !( jsin.read( type_ ) && jsin.read( value_ ) ) ) {
-            jsin.error( "Failed to read cata_variant" );
+        int const rewind = jsin.tell();
+        // FIXME: add_type migration - remove after 0.G
+        if( jsin.get_string() == "add_type" ) {
+            type_ = cata_variant_type::addiction_id;
+            value_ = add_type_legacy_conv( jsin.get_string() );
+        } else {
+            jsin.seek( rewind );
+            if( !( jsin.read( type_ ) && jsin.read( value_ ) ) ) {
+                jsin.error( "Failed to read cata_variant" );
+            }
         }
         jsin.end_array();
     }