From a psychological perspective, addiction is not merely a lack of willpower. It is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use (or behavioral repetition) despite adverse consequences.
Key Psychological Criteria:
Salience: The activity becomes the most important thing in life.
Mood Modification: Using the activity to cope with emotional states.
Tolerance: Needing more of the stimulus to get the same effect.
Withdrawal: Unpleasant physical or emotional effects when stopping.
The Reward Pathway
Addiction hijacks the brain's Reward System (Mesolimbic Pathway). It floods the brain with Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation.
Normal Pleasure (Food/Social)Addictive Stimulus
The "Hijack" Effect: Over time, the brain reduces its natural dopamine receptors to balance the surge. This leads to anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure from normal things) and creates a biological need for the addictive substance just to feel "normal."
The Cycle of Addiction
Psychologically, addiction operates on a feedback loop fueled by Operant Conditioning (Positive and Negative Reinforcement). Click a stage below to learn more.
1. Trigger / Cue
2. Craving
3. Ritual & Use
4. Guilt / Crash
Psychology of Recovery
Recovery is based on the concept of Neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to rewire itself. It is a learning process.
Effective Psychological Approaches:
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): Identifying triggers and changing thought patterns (e.g., "I can't handle this stress" -> "I have other coping mechanisms").
Mindfulness: Learning to "surf the urge"—observing a craving without acting on it until it passes.
Environment Design: Removing cues that trigger the cycle.
Takeaway: Addiction is a learned pattern deeply improved by biology. Unlearning it takes time, repetition, and often professional support.