The term “addiction” refers to a compulsion to do something, either a substance or an activity, over and over again, regardless of the consequences. For example, a nicotine addict will continue to smoke even after they have been diagnosed with emphysema or cancer. Or a cocaine addict will continue to use the drug even after being arrested buying coke in a bad neighborhood.

Addiction can happen in two ways — physically or psychologically. With a physical dependence, the user will suffer physical withdrawal symptoms when he or she stops using the drug. This is most common with opiates, like narcotic pain relievers or heroin. Other substances that can induce physical symptoms on withdrawal are alcohol, barbiturates (some older types of sleeping pills), nicotine and benzodiazepines (xanax, valium, ativan, etc.) Sometimes the withdrawal symptoms can cause serious seizures, as in the case with benzos.
The term “addiction” refers to a compulsion to do something, either a substance or an activity, over and over again, regardless of the consequences. For example, a nicotine addict will continue to smoke even after they have been diagnosed with emphysema or cancer. Or a cocaine addict will continue to use the drug even after being arrested buying coke in a bad neighborhood.

Addiction can happen in two ways — physically or psychologically. With a physical dependence, the user will suffer physical withdrawal symptoms when

he or she stops using the drug. This is most common with opiates, like narcotic pain relievers or heroin. Other substances that can induce physical symptoms on withdrawal are alcohol, barbiturates (some older types of sleeping pills), nicotine and benzodiazepines (xanax, valium, ativan, etc.) Sometimes the withdrawal symptoms can cause serious seizures, as in the case with benzos.

People with a physical dependency on a substance will take it, not to obtain pleasure after a point, but simply to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Physical dependency is sometimes referred to as physiological tolerance.

Psychological addiction is different in that a user will use a substance more for the pleasure that they initially get from it more than anything else. The substance will usually interact with the person’s brain chemistry and release pleasure inducing chemicals that enforce the use of the drug. This becomes a self perpetuating pattern that the addict finds very hard to stop.

The brain chemicals involved in this are usually dopamine, serotonin and associated endorphins. Let’s use cocaine as an example. The user will take some cocaine, which in turn will raise the level of dopamine in the brain creating intense pleasure. But what comes up must come down, so when the drug wears off, the user will feel down or depressed and therefore feel compelled to repeat the cycle.

Original post by Frisna