Psychological addiction

Psychological addiction, as opposed to physiological addiction, is a person's need to use a drug out of desire for the effects it produces, rather than to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Heroin, for example, produces a physical dependence; the drug eventually takes the place of natural endorphins, so that addicts may use heroin simply to reduce pain. Other drugs, like marijuana, do not create a physical dependency. However, one may become psychologically addicted if he/she comes to depend upon the drug's effect as part of normal existence.

Some doctors make little distinction between the two types of addiction, for the result-substance abuse-is the same. The cause of the addiction in either case is much different, though, as is the type of treatment preferred.