Summary
Addiction is a state defined by compulsive engagement in naturally rewarding behavior or compulsive drug use, despite adverse consequences; it can be thought of as a disease or biological process leading to such behaviors.
The main components of a ‘reward system’, and how it connects to brain areas involved in motivation and emotion, are now defined, and much has been discovered about the chemical messenger systems such as dopamine and noradrenaline that are fundamental to the mechanism of addiction.
Initial Overview based on Wikipedia entry Jan. 5, 2016
OnAir Post: Addictions Overview
