Cognitive Addiction

Drug addiction might be associated with neurotic illnesses like depression, anxiety, and PTSD because for drug addicts just thinking about using drugs provides relief from dysphoric mood and emotions. Once addicted, thinking about drugs sets off obsession, i.e. sustained repetitive thinking about drugs, which is forceful enough to move thinking away from the persistent negative thoughts of the neuroses in a way few other topics can. Obsession then leads to cravings and drug use, deepening the addiction. Even though an addict who wants to remain sober may know that daydreaming about drug use often leads to cravings and relapse, doing so may be the only relief available for the pain of an underlying neurotic illness.