Dr. Harriet Fraad

Photo: Brennan Linsley / AP

This article originally appeared at The Independent International Political Research Center.

First, let’s define “drug addiction.” Drug addiction is an out of control compulsion to take a drug without consideration of the consequences.  Major drugs to which Americans are addicted are opioids: synthetic forms of heroin often prescribed as pain medications such as oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), morphine, fentanyl, and codeine.