Oh yeah, the book also describes the craving itself as an essential part of the addiction. It’s not just that the drug or whatever is so immensely pleasing when

Oh yeah, the book also describes the craving itself as an essential part of the addiction. It’s not just that the drug or whatever is so immensely pleasing when you take it, it’s also that the whole cycle of wanting, pursuing, and getting is addictive in itself. It’s a whole “dark liturgy.” Strong craving for a well-known thing might be preferable to vague indeterminate anxiety, or it might be a way to occupy one’s mind to avoid seeing something traumatic. Chasing a target is a thrill in itself.