A person with an addiction uses a substance, or engages in a behavior, for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeat the activity, despite detrimental consequences. Addiction may involve the use of substances such as alcohol , inhalants, opioids, cocaine, and nicotine, or behaviors such as gambling.
There is evidence that addictive behaviors share key neurobiological features: They intensely involve brain pathways of reward and reinforcement, which involve the neurotransmitter dopamine . And, in keeping with other highly motivated states, they lead to the pruning of synapses in the prefrontal cortex, home of the brain's highest functions, so that attention is highly focused on cues related to the target substance or activity. It is important to know that such brain changes are reversible after the substance use or behavior is discontinued.
Both substance use disorders and gambling behaviors have an increased likelihood of being accompanied by mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety , or other pre-existing problems. Substance use and gambling disorders not only engage the same brain mechanisms, they respond to many of the same treatment approaches.
Substance use and gambling disorders are complex conditions that affect the reward, reinforcement, motivation , and memory systems of the brain. They are characterized by impaired control over usage; social impairment, involving the disruption of everyday activities and relationships; and craving. Continuing use is typically harmful to relationships as well as to obligations at work or school.
Key Takeaways
- What Is Addiction? affects mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing
- Understanding what is addiction? is the first step toward managing it
- Evidence-based approaches can significantly improve outcomes
- Building daily habits is more effective than one-time interventions
Myths About Addiction
The processes that give rise to addictive behavior resist a simplistic explanation. There is not just one cause: Although genetic or other biological factors can contribute to a person’s vulnerability to the condition, many social, psychological, and environmental factors also have a powerful influence on substance use.
Some characteristics, such as a lack of ability to tolerate distress or other strong feelings, have been associated with addiction, but there is no one “addictive personality ” type that clearly predicts whether a person will face problems with addiction.
Symptoms of Addiction
Recurrent use of a substance, or engagement with an activity, that leads to impairment or distress, is the core of addictive disorders. The clinical diagnosis of an addiction is based on the presence of at least two of a number of features:
The severity of the condition is gauged by the number of symptoms present. The presence of two to three symptoms generally indicates a mild condition; four to five symptoms indicate a moderate disorder. When six or more symptoms are present, the condition is considered severe.
Research makes it clear: There is no way to predict who will develop compulsive substance use or gambling behavior.
Addiction is a multi-faceted condition, arising from the confluence of many elements—including, of course, exposure to an addictive agent. It is more accurate to think of risk factors for the development of substance abuse disorders, rather than direct causes. (There are also factors that protect individuals against addiction.)
Psychological Factors
Environmental Factors
Treatment of Addiction
Substance use is a treatable condition and complete remission is entirely possible. Recovery, however, is often a long-term process that may involve multiple attempts. Relapse is now regarded as part of the process, and effective treatment regimens address prevention and management of recurrent use.
Since success tends not to occur all at once, any improvements are considered important signs of progress. Increasingly, programs are available to help those who recognize that they have a substance-use problem but are not ready for complete abstinence.
Because addiction affects so many facets of an individual’s functioning—from the ability to tolerate frustration to establishing and maintaining a productive role in society—good treatment focuses on many dimensions of life, including family roles and work skills as well as mental health.
Treatment can include any of a number of components, which are often deployed in combination and are likely to change over the course of recovery:
Treatment is available in a variety of settings, from a doctor’s office or outpatient clinic to long-term residential facility. No one way will be right for everyone, and there is evidence that one's commitment to change is more important than the type of treatment program he or she selects. Whatever the treatment under consideration, say independent researchers, there are number of features to look for to identify an effective program:
Substance Use Disorders
The medical world currently views substance use disorders according to the class of drug that is used. As a result, it defines 10 distinct disorders. All share the defining features of addiction: They directly and intensely involve reward and reinforcement systems of the brain, stimulating compulsive use that typically leads to the neglect of normal activities and negative consequences. With some variation, they also share common symptoms, although withdrawal symptoms differ significantly among them and do not occur for some classes of drug such as hallucinogens and inhalants.
Gambling and Other Compulsions or Addictions
Addiction is not limited to biochemical substances such as cocaine, alcohol, inhalants, or nicotine. It can involve behaviors that provide opportunities for immediate reward. Because of the fast feedback that occurs from such activities, they can quickly turn a pastime into a compulsive pursuit of reward that may lead to the neglect of other life goals and create harmful consequences, from the loss of large sums of money to the disruption of important relationships.
Behaviors indicative of gambling disorder include:
In June 2018, the World Health Organization included Gaming Disorder , involving digital gaming or video gaming to such a degree that it takes priority over other interests and daily activities despite negative consequences, in its newest edition of the International Classification of Diseases . This inclusion reflects a consensus of experts from different disciplines and geographical regions around the world. They point out that only a tiny proportion of those who engage in digital or video gaming activities—notably those who have impaired control over the activity and spend excessive amounts of time at it—are at risk for the diagnosis.
In the United States, excessive behavior patterns—involving smartphone use, Internet gambling, gaming, pornography , even eating and shopping—are being studied as possible behavioral addiction. While such activities may provide the opportunity for ample immediate reward, it has not yet been determined that they meet all of the criteria for addictive behavior.
"World sickness" provides a powerful framework for understanding the effects of acute or chronic suffering.
"World sickness" provides a powerful framework for understanding the effects of acute or chronic suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is what is addiction??
A person with an addiction uses a substance, or engages in a behavior, for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeat the activity, despite detrimental consequences. Addiction may involve the use of substances such as alcohol , inhalants, opioids, cocaine, and nicotine, or behaviors such as gambling.
What are the signs of what is addiction??
Recurrent use of a substance, or engagement with an activity, that leads to impairment or distress, is the core of addictive disorders. The clinical diagnosis of an addiction is based on the presence of at least two of a number of features: The severity of the condition is gauged by the number of symptoms present. The presence of two to three symptoms generally indicates a mild condition; four to
How can what is addiction? be treated?
Substance use is a treatable condition and complete remission is entirely possible. Recovery, however, is often a long-term process that may involve multiple attempts. Relapse is now regarded as part of the process, and effective treatment regimens address prevention and management of recurrent use. Since success tends not to occur all at once, any improvements are considered important signs of pr
Is what is addiction? a serious condition?
What Is Addiction? exists on a spectrum. While mild forms are a normal part of life, persistent or severe what is addiction? can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. It's important to seek professional support if what is addiction? is interfering with work, relationships, or wellbeing.
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