Ace the Chemical Dependency Counselor Exam 2025 – Empower Change and Rock Your Career!

A physical addiction is characterized by the presence of withdrawal symptoms when an individual stops using the substance, indicating that the body has become dependent on it. In the case of alcohol, individuals can experience a range of withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, anxiety, seizures, and hallucinations when they suddenly stop consuming it after a period of heavy use. This physiological response shows that the body has adapted to the presence of alcohol, leading to physical dependency.

Cocaine and marijuana, while they can lead to psychological dependence, typically do not produce the severe physical withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol. Shopping, on the other hand, is considered a behavioral addiction and does not involve physical withdrawal symptoms in the way chemical substances do. Thus, alcohol stands out as a clear example of a substance that can lead to physical addiction due to the body's physical dependence on it.