This is one of the reasons to read Infinite Jest - it explores the concept of addiction with incredible depth and interest. I love the idea that many things in

This is one of the reasons to read Infinite Jest - it explores the concept of addiction with incredible depth and interest. I love the idea that many things in life can be modeled as addictions. Abstractly, an addiction takes the pattern of long periods of misery (plateau) interrupted by brief moments of ecstasy - what's special about an addiction is that it feels like the moments of ecstasy are worth it. This pattern is similar to that involved in learning a new skill, or going through a personality change.