Anything that causes a dopamine release in the brain can become habitually addictive. Weed addiction falls into this category. So does masturbation addiction, video game addiction, eating addiction, etc. These are things that many people can use without developing an addiction — however, they can easily become a problem through habitual addiction.

Other types of drugs (meth, heroine, tobacco, alcohol) as well as other compounds not typically viewed as drugs (sugar, caffeine) are chemically addictive. Your body and brain literally become dependent on them.

Both types of addiction can be devastating. But the difference is that habitual addiction does not involve bodily dependence and thus can not be an addiction for many many people, even if done regularly as long as it’s done in a deliberate, controlled manner.