What is most indicative of a periodic state of intoxication?

Addiction is most indicative of a periodic state of intoxication because it often manifests as a compulsive pattern of substance use, leading to recurrent intoxication episodes. An individual struggling with addiction may seek out substances despite adverse consequences, exemplifying a cycle of use that can include periods of intoxication followed by times of abstinence or withdrawal. This cyclical nature is a hallmark of addiction, as people frequently return to substance use after periods of sobriety, driven by cravings and dependency.

Tolerance refers to the body's adaptation to the presence of a substance, leading an individual to require larger amounts to achieve the same effect. While tolerance can develop alongside addiction, it does not encapsulate the periodic nature of intoxication as directly as addiction does.

Dependence implies a physical or psychological reliance on a substance, which can also occur with addiction, but it is not as closely related to the patterns of intoxication as the broader concept of addiction itself.

Withdrawal symptoms arise when an individual reduces or stops using a substance they have become dependent on, but these symptoms indicate a more acute reaction to cessation rather than the periodic cycle of intoxication experienced in addiction.

Thus, addiction best captures the repeated cycles of intoxication associated with the compulsive behavior generally observed in individuals with