I've been doing some study about addictions. :-)
Can I ask what sorts of study? (If it isn't being nosy?)
Too often people consider addictions only to be chemical, or other, like drinking, smoking, drugs. Addictions can be anything. I was addicted to people, for example, for a long long time (thankfully, one person at a time, though).
...In addition, addictions often fulfill faulty belief or value systems in the addict, so, again yes, they are learnt, one way or another. (This goes double for someone looking for "another high" ...
That's what I did. I felt I wouldn't be "okay" unless I saw a glimpse of this person, (whichever person it was at the time), or heard their voice, or etc. I could get a "high" from the smallest thing, in one case, just watching their vehicle drive by.
It was all in my head of course, that seeing this person made me ok. It didn't really. In fact, later when I undertook the task of becoming "un-codependent", I learned it was actually the times when I was addicted to people that I was definitely NOT okay.
I'm so happy I've learned to have real friendships, (instead of addictions), and a real relationship with someone (instead of being co-dependent on my significant other). It took a lot to change it though, and I still consider myself to be an addictive personality, i.e. I have the ability to be one.
This is why I never drink, smoke or take drugs... I'm certain I would be instantly hooked, and it would probably be infinitely harder to break those addictions than it was to break my "needy" one for people.
Brenda