DEFINING ADDICTION

DR. Nora Volkow, Director, U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse - 'Addiction has a specific definition: you are unable to stop when you want to, despite (being) aware of the adverse consequences. It permeates your life; you spend more time satisfying (your craving).'

DR. Martin Paulus, Professor of Psychiatry, Univ. of California, San Diego - ' Addiction is not just about substances. Addiction is about disrupting the processing of pleasure; the balance point is shifted so you keep creating more and more urges, and you keep wanting more and more.'

Scott Lucas, McLean Hospital - Addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disease characterized by uncontrollable drug-seeking behavior and use. It persists even with the knowledge of negative health and social consequences.'

Joseph Frascella, Director, Clinical Neuroscience, Nida - 'Addiction occurs when behaviors start to become excessive. They are driven by our systems that stand up, shake us and say."The brain is saying this is good; we should do it again."'