Chronic Imperceptible Pain as a Cause of Addiction

Abstract

It is argued that acute, chronic pain, whether arising from environmental or psychological contexts, is a necessary condition of addiction; conditioning and neurochemical changes are assigned a catalyzing role. Imperceptible pain which the patient can neither appreciate nor articulate because of gradual onset and lack of contrast is discussed, and it is argued that this pain, although imperceptible can be acute, and sufficient to fuel addiction. Inadequate self esteem is thought to be a common source of imperceptible pain, and therefore a cause of addiction.