Considerable confusion exists regarding the nature of addiction.
The most common misunderstanding is that addiction refers to a state of physical dependence on a drug whereby discontinuing drug intake produces a withdrawal syndrome consisting of various somatic disturbances. Addiction is better defined as a behavioral syndrome where drug procurement and use seem to dominate the individual s motivation and where the normal constraints on behavior are largely ineffective. This condition may or may not be accompanied by the development of physical dependence on the drug. The distinguishing feature of the condition commonly referred to as addiction is the ability of the drug to dominate the individual s behavior, regardless of whether physical dependence is also produced by the drug. Many factors influence a person s initial drug use.