What is addiction?

Use of any drug can lead to addiction. When scientists began studying addiction, it was understood that opiates like heroin (and OxyContin) are “physically addictive” and dangerous. “Psychological” ad-diction, in contrast, is not something a lot of people un-derstand. People always seem relieved to hear that a sub-stance “just” leads to psychological addiction, or has only minor physical withdrawal symptoms.

Such relief couldn’t be further from the truth. Many of the most addictive and dangerous drugs do not produce very severe physical withdrawal symptoms. Think about cocaine, which is highly addictive, but does not cause severe withdrawal symptoms.

In fact, experts in addiction science no longer distinguish between psychological and physical addiction. What mat-ters is whether or not a drug causes: uncontrollable, com-pulsive drug seeking and use, even in the face of negative health, social, and academic consequences. That’s addiction!

This “drug hunger” at the core of all drug addictions is much more difficult to control than the physical symptoms (many of which can be managed with special medications).

So don’t be fooled by the outdated distinction between psychological and physical addiction — just remember that if a person seems like they have that “drug hunger,” they are likely addicted and may need help.