Definition
Addiction is the aberrant use of a substance in a manner characterized by: 1) loss of control over medication use, 2) compulsive use, 3) continued use despite physical, psychological or social harm, and 4) craving, often obtaining supply by deceptive or illegal means. This syndrome also includes a great deal of time used to obtain the medication, use the medication, or recover from its effects. Addiction is not the same as tolerance or dependence. Unlike the other two, which are physiological responses, addiction implies drug seeking behaviors and has a host of psychological factors. Addiction is rare among patients given opioids for the treatment of pain.
Cancer Pain, Evaluation of Relevant Comorbidities and Impact
Opioids, Clinical Opioid Tolerance
Opioid Therapy in Cancer Patients with Substance Abuse Disorders, Management
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsEditor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
(2007). Addiction. In: Schmidt, R., Willis, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Pain. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29805-2_90
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29805-2_90
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-43957-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-29805-2
eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine