Toxicant-induced loss of tolerance

Drug addiction and multiple chemical intolerance (abdiction) appear to be p olar opposites-the former characterized by craving and dependency, the latt er by aversion. However, when the two are viewed in juxtaposition similarit ies emerge, revealing a common underlying dynamic, one which appears to be a new paradigm of disease. TILT, or toxicant-induced loss of tolerance, bri dges the gap between addiction and abdiction and has the potential to expla in a variety of illnesses, including certain cases of asthma, migraine head aches and depression, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and "Gulf War syndrome." This paper argues that both addiction and chemical in tolerance involve a fundamental breakdown in innate tolerance, resulting in an amplification of various biological effects, particularly withdrawal sy mptoms. While addicts seek further exposures so as to avoid unpleasant with drawal symptoms, chemically intolerant individuals shun their problem expos ures, but for the same reason-to avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Thes e observations raise critical questions: do addictive drugs and environment al pollutants initiate an identical disease process? Once this process begi ns, can both addictants and pollutants trigger symptoms and cravings? TILT opens a new window between the fields of addiction and environmental medici ne, one that has the potential to transform neighboring realms of medicine, psychology, psychiatry and toxicology.