Which term refers to lasting, compulsive drug use despite known harm?

Which term refers to lasting, compulsive drug use despite known harm?

• A. craving
• B. dependence
• C. tolerance
• D. addiction

Answer: (D)

Addiction describes a chronic pattern where drug use becomes compulsive and continues despite clear harm. It captures not just wanting the drug, but an ongoing inability to stop and continued use even when it damages health, relationships, or other important areas of life. Craving is a strong desire for the drug and can drive use, but craving alone doesn’t define the persistent, harmful pattern. Dependence refers to the body's adaptation to the drug and withdrawal if use stops, which explains quitting challenges but not the full sense of compulsive behavior. Tolerance is needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect, a pharmacological change, but it doesn’t by itself describe the continued use despite harm. So the term that best fits the described pattern is addiction.

Addiction describes a chronic pattern where drug use becomes compulsive and continues despite clear harm. It captures not just wanting the drug, but an ongoing inability to stop and continued use even when it damages health, relationships, or other important areas of life. Craving is a strong desire for the drug and can drive use, but craving alone doesn’t define the persistent, harmful pattern. Dependence refers to the body's adaptation to the drug and withdrawal if use stops, which explains quitting challenges but not the full sense of compulsive behavior. Tolerance is needing more of the drug to achieve the same effect, a pharmacological change, but it doesn’t by itself describe the continued use despite harm. So the term that best fits the described pattern is addiction.