Addiction
The elven bard's hands shook as he was preparing to take the stage. Pulling the flask from his pocket, he drank deeply, and the tremors left - enough to play at this dive, anyway.
The gnome shuddered, the acrid taste of the mushrooms making him gag. But he had to focus, he had to do everything right at this meeting. The psionic boost from the fungus would give him the edge, and he'd deal with the consequences later.
The human farmer sat watching his crop of pipeweed. He'd been skeptical when that halfling had told him what an easy and profitable crop it was. But he'd planted a little bit, and it grew well, and people did pay for it. The halfling had mentioned that the flowers had some interesting effects, and that most people just smoke the leaves for a bit of relaxation. Well, they could have it - the flowers were for him, and some close friends. They took away the aches and pains, and they make watching the crops grow as entertaining as a visit from a traveling bard. Sure makes it hard to get the energy to work the crops, though - good thing pipeweed was so easy he could just replant all his land with it.
Causes
Addiction is acquired through overuse of any substance that has the addictive property. Not all addictive substances are labeled as such, so care should be taken with all substances unless research has been done.
Some people are more prone to addiction than others. While this is affected by the individuals constitution, there is an element of luck involved as well. How susceptible a person is is generally not known until their first addiction sets in.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the addictive substance, but there are some commonalities. The symptoms of the substance itself are generally listed as the effects, although in some cases addiction changes the nature of the effects. Withdrawal is the umbrella term encompassing any effects while not under the influence of the substance and varies in intensity.
The most common symptoms of withdrawal are irritability and mood swings. These are generally mild, and can be controlled through force of will. These are generally the first indications that withdrawal is setting in, and often the cue for the addict to use the substance again. Symptoms of withdrawal tend to get progressively worse for a time after cessation of use - vomiting, tremors, and joint pain are common, although not exhaustive.
Treatment
Treatment generally consists of managing the symptoms of withdrawal until they pass. In some cases it is effective to gradually reduce the dose to ease the total withdrawal time.
Clerical treatments exist to cure addiction. For most, protection from poison will clear the effects of the addiction, although the underlying addiction remains, and further use of the substance will quickly reestablish the previous penalties. Remove curse will completely remove the addiction, although it does not protect from becoming addicted again.
Prognosis
Prognosis greatly depends on underlying addictive substance. Some addictions are managed over a lifetime, and eventually take their toll and lead to an early death, while some can lead to acute outcomes.
A special note should be made of the substances created by any of the Devils or their followers. These are often designed to be more addictive, and are nearly impossible to escape without clerical intervention. Prognosis for an individual ensnared in this way is short without divine intervention.
Sequela
Once addicted, further addiction becomes more likely. Long term usage can result in lowered constitution, even after the addiction has been cleared.
Prevention
Not using addictive substances will prevent addiction. However, many useful substances are addictive, and it is impractical to avoid them all.
For such substances, responsible usage is key. For example, healing potions are addictive, but only when abused. They should be reserved for true injuries, such as broken bones or deep cuts. Use for curing hangovers or the normal aches and pains of aging, or a quick energy boost, is an almost sure path to addiction.
Cultural Reception
While this again depends on the substance, addicts are generally looked down upon if acknowledged. Some addiction types are common enough in various areas (almost all sapient beings have a common type of alcohol addiction) that they are rarely seen as an addiction. Some military units accept addiction to various performance enhancing substances as necessary, and some churches (notably, Hargit, Zorin, and Tempatia, although sects of others as well) use addictive substances in their rites and do not look down on the devout who become addicted.
Addicts of the Devil's substances are universally derided, even among followers of the Devil that created it, and even among other addicts.
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