Bassbones.....Definition of addiction

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

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Encyclopedia Britannica
Directory > Reference > Britannica Concise drug addiction

Physical and/or psychological dependency on a psychoactive (mind-altering) substance (e.g., alcohol, narcotics, nicotine), defined as continued use despite knowing that the substance causes harm. Physical dependency results when the body builds up a tolerance to a drug, needing increasing doses to achieve the desired effects and to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Psychological dependency may have more to do with one's psychological makeup; some people may have a genetic tendency to addiction. The most common addictions are to alcohol (see alcoholism), barbiturates, tranquilizers, and amphetamines, as well as to the stimulants nicotine and caffeine.

[Jim Conlow Sr.]

If you go to the web address http://www.tfy.drugsense.org/tfy/addictvn.htm

You will find about halfway through the article a statement that says that most experts on the relative adictiveness of adictive substances felt that nicotine is the most adictive of them all.