What is meant by the term addiction?
Addiction has been defined as a primary, chronic neurobiologic disease, with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by behaviors that include one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving. Tolerance may or may not be present. Physical dependence may occur in a person experiencing addiction; however, physical dependence is not synonymous with addiction and may occur in people who do not suffer from addiction, as well as with nonanalgesic medications
