Ivor,

I have to confess that on this point GUEST seems to have been pretty fair.

Something is either addictive or it isn't. In terms of substance abuse, a substance is either addictive or it isn't. There are no might be's when it comes to chemical reactions. Either one will occur or it won't.

It is fair to say that somebody "might" become addicted to a substance, though that would only apply if the substance were an addictive one.

If somebody uses an adictive substance frequently over an extended period of time, then it is likely that they will become addicted to it.

They definitely won't become addicted to a non addictive substance though.

Do you see the distinction?


GUEST

I suppose the impasse we have reached was inevitable.

The whole personality disorder (compulsive behaviour), alcoholism and drug addiction quagmire, with all the overlaps and individually tailored disorder combinations is a confusing business.

Personality disorders and addiction are intrinsically linked and intertwined, while sufferers tend to exhibit similar behaviour.

They are both illnesses which can be treated with a combination of the right chemicals and the right counselling.

The study of personality disorders is very much in its infancy.

I would suggest too much so for anyone to categorically draw a clear line separating addiction from compulsive behaviour.