addiction (psychological dependence)

Introduction

Repeated use of a substance or engagement in a behavior for which the rewards provide sufficient incentive to repeatedly pursue the behavior despite detrimental consequences.

Pathology

• associated with &, at least in part, a manifestation of drug dependence

Clinical manifestations

• continued craving for an opioid, alcohol or other depressant, beyond legitimate therapeutic use
• need to use the opioid for effects other than pain relief or alcohol in an amount that produces withdrawal symptoms upon cessation
• continued use of a substance despite harmful consequences

Notes

• new DSM-5 criteria would broaden the definition of addiction to include people who crave alcohol & drink more than they mean to
• addtionally, behavioral addiction would include obsession with shopping or sex
• addiction as defined would not necessitate drug dependence

More general terms

• psychiatric disease; behavioral disorder
• drug-seeking behavior

Additional terms

• drug dependence
• drug tolerance; drug habituation
• pseudoaddiction
• substance abuse