Addiction

Addiction is more than just a bad habit — it’s a serious health condition that affects a person’s brain, behavior, and overall wellbeing. Whether it involves substances like alcohol or cannabis, or behaviors like gambling or internet use, addiction can gradually take over a person’s life and interfere with their relationships, responsibilities, and health.

Substance Addictions

Substance addiction, now clinically referred to as Substance Use Disorder (SUD), is a medical condition recognized by healthcare professionals. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), SUDs range from mild to severe, with addiction being the most severe form.

Common substances that can lead to addiction include:

  • Alcohol

  • Caffeine

  • Cannabis (marijuana)

  • Hallucinogens like LSD or PCP

  • Anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills (e.g. benzodiazepines, barbiturates)

  • Inhalants (e.g. paint thinners, aerosols, nitrites or “poppers”)

  • Opioids (e.g. codeine, oxycodone, heroin)

  • Stimulants (e.g. cocaine, Adderall, methamphetamine)

  • Tobacco and Nicotine (including e-cigarettes or vaping)

These substances affect the reward center of the brain, producing feelings of pleasure and reinforcing repeated use. Over time, the brain becomes dependent, and stopping use can result in withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, shaking, or nausea.

Signs of Substance Addiction:

 

  • Using more or for longer than intended

  • Wanting to cut down but not being able to

  • Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from the substance

  • Neglecting responsibilities

  • Continued use despite harm to self or others

  • Craving the substance

  • Building a tolerance and needing more

  • Withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop

Alcohol Addiction

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Alcohol is one of the most commonly used — and socially accepted — substances worldwide. But for many, alcohol use can become harmful, developing into a pattern that negatively impacts health, relationships, and daily functioning. This is known as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder?

 

Alcohol Use Disorder is a medical condition where a person finds it difficult to control their drinking, continues to drink despite negative consequences, and may experience cravings or withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop. It’s a progressive condition that can range from mild to severe.

Non-Substance (Behavioral) Addictions

Addiction isn’t limited to substances. Some behaviors can become compulsive and damaging when they activate the same reward systems in the brain. These are known as behavioral addictions.

The only behavioral addiction currently recognized by the DSM-5 is Gambling Disorder, but growing research shows that other compulsive behaviors can also have serious negative effects.

Examples of potential behavioral addictions include:

  • Gambling

  • Eating disorders or compulsive eating

  • Excessive exercise or dieting

  • Shopping or shoplifting

  • Sex or pornography use

  • Video gaming

  • Social media and internet overuse

 

These behaviors may start out as manageable or even pleasurable but can spiral into something all-consuming — interfering with relationships, daily responsibilities, finances, and mental health.