Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A significant characteristic of psychological addiction is the presence of cravings and preoccupation with the substance or behavior. In psychological addiction, individuals often find themselves obsessively thinking about the addictive substance or activity, leading to an overwhelming desire to engage in it. This mental fixation can dominate thoughts and significantly impact daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.

Unlike physical addiction, where withdrawal symptoms and tolerance are more evident and physiological, psychological addiction revolves around emotional and cognitive patterns. The chronic focus on the addiction can lead to emotional distress when the individual is unable to engage in the behavior or obtain the substance, further indicating the psychological components of addiction.

Understanding this aspect is crucial for counselors, as addressing the psychological elements, including cravings and the underlying motives behind the addiction, often forms the basis of effective treatment strategies.