Cliffhangers - Love to Hate them!

I am a self-proclaimed series Junkie! I love to read books that are part of a series, because I love the idea that the characters and/or story line will carry on to another book. At first I didn't like it when a series changes main characters from book to book - but the Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward cured me of the aversion. But I have noticed something about series books. As they get into the 5th, 6th, 7th, etc. they end in cliffhangers. I don't know if it because in the beginning stages the author doesn't want to leave it too open ended in case there isn't another installment, or what. But I am starting to wonder if I can survive all these cliffhangers. Going back to the Black Dagger Brotherhood books - the most recent on, Love Avenged, was a total cliffhanger and I am stuck waiting on pins and needles for the next one. I have not read it myself yet but I have learned that the newest Rachel Morgan book, Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison, is a complete cliffhanger, likened to the idea of just taking the lid off the can of worms and then ending the book! And what worse in that case is that I am not sure when the next book is scheduled to be released (and yes I said "when" and not "if" because I refuse to accept that there won't be another).
Let me clarify one thing - by cliffhanger I don't mean that it has to be a action packed adventure, end of the world type love. I think any ending that leaves more burning questions then answers could be considered a cliffhanger.
So my question to you is: Do you like cliffhangers or can you do without?