Addiction

Addiction, physiological or psychological dependence on a substance, such as alcohol or heroin, and tendency to require increasing amounts of the substance. Another evidence of addiction is the occurrence of physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms if the substance is suddenly taken away. These symptoms may include severe pain, nausea, cramps, hallucinations and violent headaches. They also may be milder, such as irritability, insomnia, restlessness during the work day, and a desire for the substance so strong that the victim carries out his normal activities with great difficulty.

A person can become addicted to legally prescribed medication as well as to such illegal drugs as heroin or cocaine. Doctors limut the number of times prescriptions for certain medications can be refilled to protect their patients from addiction. However, tranquilizers, sedatives, and barbiturates are used illicitly by many people who may become dependent on them without realizing what is happening. Users of sleeping pills know that over a long time, they require higher closes to achieve sleep.