I do not think they are the same. People addicted to social media can be locked in a room for a week, without social media, and show no adverse withdrawal symptoms. If you try the same to people addicted to drugs, they might die.

They’re also not the same thing because one is named “drugs” and the other is named “TikTok”

But putting pointless distinctions aside, an addiction is an addiction. Gambling addicts won’t die if you lock them in a room for a week (with food and water…), but they’ll go back gambling once you let them out.

Same with TikTok and other social media. They’re creating real addictions in people with real consequences. I’m not an expert scientist doctor man, but afaik addictions are bad.

Huh? I do believe they'd act the same as nicotine addicts; that is, irritable, bored, unfocused, antsy

Literally anything you do creates a "chemical reaction in the brain". That's how brains work.