Definition
The condition of a human or an animal where a drug is sought after and taken in spite of negative consequences to the individual. It is a state of obsession and compulsion in which the body depends on a substance for normal functioning, characterized by a loss of control over its consumption. The use of the term is usually restricted to the most serious and severe forms of drug abuse.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Kuhar, M.J. (2010). Addiction. In: Stolerman, I.P. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_1117
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_1117
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-68698-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-68706-1
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences