Addiction is a chronic (lifelong) condition that involves compulsive seeking and taking of a substance or performing of an activity despite negative or harmful consequences.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as “a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.”
There are two main groups of addiction:
The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) recognizes Substance Abuse Disorder as a problematic pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress manifested by at least 2 of 11 criteria within a 12 month period.
Substances are drugs that have addiction potential. They can be prescription medications or non-medical drugs.and involve specific substances such as alcohol, illegal and prescription drugs, and other substances such as caffeine and tobacco.
See menu tabs on Alcoholism, Illicit Drugs, Prescription Drugs, and Tobacco and Vaping
Behavioral addictions are usually referred to as non-substance addictions. These can occur with any activity that’s capable of stimulating your brain’s reward system. Behavioral scientists continue to study the similarities and differences between substance addictions, behavioral addictions and other compulsive behavior conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bulimia nervosa.
See menu tabs on Behavior Addictions and Technology Addictions
See below to browse sources on the general topic of Addiction with background and overview information.
See menu on left to find books, articles, videos, and websites on specific types of addictions.
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