you don't need to be insulting. Here is a definition of drug addiction.
Drug addiction is a pathological or abnormal condition which arises due to frequent drug use. The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute drug use to the development of drug-seeking behavior, the vulnerability to relapse, and the decreased, slowed ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) has categorized three stages of addiction: preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect. These stages are characterized, respectively, everywhere by constant cravings and preoccupation with obtaining the substance; using more of the substance than necessary to experience the intoxicating effects; and experiencing tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and decreased motivation for normal life activities.[2] By the American Society of Addiction Medicine definition, drug addiction differs from drug dependence and drug tolerance.[3]
It is a pathological or abnormal condition. Love is not a pathological or abnormal condition. It is OK to say that a person in love acts LIKE a drug addict, but that is not same as BEING a drug addict. That is why we have so many words, so that people can use them precisely.
I stand by my original statements, Lotus. I wasn't insulting you; I was making the case that your blanket statement:
Quote:
And this addict stuff, ...come on. He may have natural "love" feelings that feel good going around in his system, but that is not the same thing as being addicted to heroin or cocaine. One can still function as a member of society while in love!
was ill-informed, and gravely understated the effects of the addictiveness of affairs.
That being said, I could take the above definition of drug addiction, and -- with nearly every single symptom -- point out how people caught up in affairs display PRECISELY those same behaviors, but I have neither the time nor the inclination to do so when so much research has already been done on the subject by those far more qualified than me.
One need look no further than the very stories on these DB forums to see the horrible, delusional things that people do when addicted to their affair. Depleting their families' bank accounts. Ignoring the needs of their own children. Telling their loved ones to "just get over it" when they try to intervene. Sudden, radical changes in tastes in music, clothes, and complete lifestyle.
In fact, I would content that it's ONLY once one begins to understand infidelity as an ADDICTION that it even begins to make any sense.
No, TRUE love is not a pathological or abnormal condition, but its early (lust/infatuation) stage is very much physiologically manifested, and HIGHLY ADDICTIVE. It is what Nature uses, as Passenger notes above, to replicate the species. When that same physiology presents itself in a relationship OUTSIDE of the marital one -- infidelity -- it is an intensely powerful, addictive, vehicle for the exact same abnormal behavior outlined in your definition.
