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Addiction What is Addiction? Addiction is characterized by an abnormal dependence on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming despite its adverse consequences (Goldstein, 1994). Addiction involves both behavioral and physical processes. Behaviorally, there is a compulsive seeking out to use the drug while compromising other non-drug related activities. The physical processes of addiction involve tolerance and withdrawal (Kendall and Hammen, 1998). Tolerance is the process of taking an addictive drug repeatedly over a long period of time and the drug becomes less and less effective. As a result increased levels of the drug are required in order to produce the same effect as before (Goldstein, 1994). Withdrawal results when the prolonged use of a drug alters the body to such an extent that it is affected when the drug is not in use. Generally, withdrawal can be perceived as the reverse of the effects of the drugs, which precede them. For example, withdrawal from a tranquilizing drug is characterized by agitation, and withdrawal from a euphoric drug is characterized by depression (Kendall and Hammen, 1998).
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