A Theory of Addiction as an Artificially Induced Drive
NILS BEJEROT M.D.1
1 Research Fellow in Drug Dependence, Department of Social Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 60, Sweden
The author advances the hypothesis that while drug abuse may be a symptom of psychological or social disturbances, when addiction supervenes it is no longer a symptom but a morbid condition of its own; its development will not be affected by removal of the initiating factors. Addiction has the strength and character of a natural drive: it may be considered as an artificially induced drive developed through chemical stimulation of the pleasure center. The author observes that addiction occurs spontaneously among insects and can easily be induced in other animals.
