Eventually the intensity of the behavior or substance needed to produce the high become dangerous in and of itself. Not only does one become an impaired driver in the case of chemical addictions, but an overdose can occur or the liver can fail. And in the case of other behavioral addictions such as eating, spending, or gambling more and more intense experiences are required for satisfaction. Eventually even those fail. Withdrawal The second element that is important to understand is withdrawal .
Acute withdrawal occurs within hours and days of the cessation of use.
Alcohol withdrawal can be accompanied by hallucinations and delirium tremens. The person then has to readjust to living without the previous level of stimulation, etc. Post acute withdrawal can last two years or more. It also has emotional and physiological aspects that are very difficult to endure. As you can see, addiction is an ever-growing downward spiral which has NO pleasant ending.