Quote by Jean Cocteau
If an addict who has been completely cured starts smoking again he no longer experiences the discomfort of his first addiction. There exists, therefore, outside alkaloids and habit, a sense for opium, an intangible habit which lives on, despite the recasting of the organism. The dead drug leaves a ghost behind. At certain hours it haunts the house.
Summary
This quote suggests that addiction is not solely physical or chemical; there is a psychological aspect that remains even after the addiction has been overcome. Even if an addict is fully healed and no longer experiences withdrawal symptoms, there is a lingering, intangible craving or desire for the substance they were addicted to. This "ghost" of addiction can haunt the individual, especially during certain moments, reminding them of their past addiction and creating a longing for the drug.
By Jean Cocteau