Mechanisms of addiction development
Addiction is a robust, acquired need to use a psychoactive substance or perform an activity. A person with an addiction uses a substance or engages in behavior whose rewarding effects provide an irresistible incentive to repeat the activity, despite the harmful consequences. Addiction can include the use of substances such as alcohol, inhalants, opioids, cocaine, and nicotine, or behaviors such as gambling, shopping, playing computer games, eating, or having sex.