Substance addiction is a habit-forming condition resulting from constant use of a drug or substance. The characteristics of substance addiction include the following:
- Desire-the addict continues to use the drug despite harm and uses all of his or her power to access it. He or she cannot do without drugs.
- Tendency-the addict increases the dose to get the desired effects. The addict craves the drug.
- Detrimental-substance addiction exposes detrimental effects to the addicts.
- Psychological and physical dependence-the addict faces psychological and physical effects due to substance addiction.
The body physically adapts to the drug or substance. Large quantities of a substance is consumed to produce the desired effects. Physical dependence is caused by rapid dose reduction of the substance. It can also be caused by introducing antagonists to the body. The addictive cycle provides psychological energy required for the body to function and maintains suppression.
