Is it possible to have a music addiction?
To answer this question, we first have to answer the question: What is an addiction? While it seems like a simple enough question to answer the truth is it has different definitions depending on where you look. In addition to that, there are physical and psychological addictions. A physical addiction is where a person’s body will react to the substance and also without it. Strong physical withdraws are typically a symptom, and can be quite painful.
According to a medical definition (https://www.asam.org/quality-practice/definition-of-addiction) an addiction is characterized by the following: the inability to refrain from the addictive substance, loss of behavioral control, a craving for the substance, reduced recognition of important issues, and unfit emotional responses. This definition works well; as it bridges the gap between both physical and psychological addictions.
A psychological addiction is also called an emotional addiction. In short, a person becomes emotionally dependent on the substance or thing they are addicted to in order to cope. Physical withdraws are not typically a factor.
If a music addiction is real then it will most likely be a psychological addiction, as the body will not physically have withdrawn. If a person does have symptoms as a result of a lack of music them they are likely experiencing something known as the nocebo effect. This is basically when you think something will negatively harm you so you start showing symptoms as if you were. The mind is a powerful thing. Studies suggest that thinking can impact your health
All in all, based on the definition it might be possible to have a music addiction, however, it doesn’t seem likely. A music addiction would not have any actual physical withdraws (though perhaps mental ones may exist). It would also lack some of the key elements that characterize an addiction, particularly from a medical standpoint.
If you would like to read more about the Nocebo Effect check out the following link: The Nocebo Effect: Negative Thoughts Can Harm Your Health