Addictions

Extracted Attributes

• Impact

  Can affect physical and mental health, relationships, career, and lead to dysfunctional behaviors.

• Nature

  Chronic (lifelong) condition, relapsing brain disorder.

• Mechanism

  Repetitive drug use alters brain function in synapses, perpetuating craving and weakening self-control.

• Definition

  A neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to use a drug or engage in a behavior that produces natural reward, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences.

• Treatability

  Treatable condition, similar to other chronic medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.

• Classic Signs

  Compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, preoccupation with substances or behavior, continued use despite negative consequences.

• Contributing Factors

  Psychosocial factors, neurobiological factors, genetic predisposition, stress, trauma, mental health issues, unemployment, poverty.

• Characteristics of Habits

  Immediate gratification (short-term reward) coupled with delayed deleterious effects (long-term costs).

• DSM-5 Recognition of Behavioral Addictions

  Gambling addiction.

• ICD-10 Recognition of Behavioral Addictions

  Gambling addiction.

• ICD-11 Recognition of Behavioral Addictions

  Gambling addiction, Gaming addiction.

Timeline

• World Health Organization global status update attributes 2.6 million deaths (4.7% of all mortality) to alcohol alone. (Source: Web Search)

  2024

• Alcohol-related deaths in the US rose nearly 34% to over 52,000, not including nearly 56,000 deaths from chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. (Source: Web Search)

  2021

• Approximately 5.2 million people aged 12 or older in the US reported using cocaine in the last month. (Source: Web Search)

  2020

• Approximately 902,000 Americans aged 12 or older reported struggling with a heroin addiction. (Source: Web Search)

  2020

• Approximately 23.6 million Americans aged 12 or older reported struggling with a nicotine addiction. (Source: Web Search)

  2020

• Approximately 1.3 million Americans aged 12 or older reported having an addiction to cocaine. (Source: Web Search)

  2020

Addiction

Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to use a drug or engage in a behavior that produces natural reward, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use can alter brain function in synapses similar to natural rewards like food or falling in love in ways that perpetuate craving and weakens self-control for people with pre-existing vulnerabilities. This phenomenon – drugs reshaping brain function – has led to an understanding of addiction as a brain disorder with a complex variety of psychosocial as well as neurobiological factors that are implicated in the development of addiction. While mice given cocaine showed the compulsive and involuntary nature of addiction, for humans this is more complex, related to behavior or personality traits. Classic signs of addiction include compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, preoccupation with substances or behavior, and continued use despite negative consequences. Habits and patterns associated with addiction are typically characterized by immediate gratification (short-term reward), coupled with delayed deleterious effects (long-term costs). Examples of substance addiction include alcoholism, cannabis addiction, amphetamine addiction, cocaine addiction, nicotine addiction, opioid addiction, and eating or food addiction. Behavioral addictions may include gambling addiction, shopping addiction, stalking, pornography addiction, internet addiction, social media addiction, video game addiction, and sexual addiction. The DSM-5 and ICD-10 only recognize gambling addictions as behavioral addictions, but the ICD-11 also recognizes gaming addictions.

Web Search Results

• 15 Most Common Addictions In 2025: Substance And Behavioral ...

  The definition of Addiction is a chronic condition where an individual engages compulsively in a substance or activity, despite harmful consequences. This condition is complex and develops through an intricate interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Genetically, some individuals are predisposed to addiction, making them more susceptible to addictive substances or behaviors. Psychologically, factors like stress, trauma, and mental health issues can drive individuals [...] Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disorder marked by compulsive reward‑seeking and impaired self‑regulation that persists despite negative consequences. The World Health Organization’s 2024 global status update attributes 2.6 million deaths (4.7 % of all mortality) to alcohol alone, confirming that addiction remains a top‑tier public‑health emergency. [...] ## 11. Sex Addiction Sex addiction is a compulsive engagement in sexual thoughts, urges, or behaviors despite significant negative consequences. This addiction can severely strain or even destroy relationships and often leads to risky behavior. The overwhelming pursuit of sexual gratification becomes a dominant concern, frequently overshadowing personal and professional responsibilities.

• Addiction: what is it? - NHS

  Back to Home Addiction: what is it? Addiction is a common problem, but help is available. Addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you. Addiction is most commonly associated with gambling, drugs, alcohol and smoking, but it's possible to be addicted to just about anything, including: What causes addictions? [...] Being addicted to something means that not having it causes withdrawal symptoms, or a "come down". Because this can be unpleasant, it's easier to carry on having or doing what you crave, and so the cycle continues. Often, an addiction gets out of control because you need more and more to satisfy a craving and achieve the "high". How addictions can affect you [...] Behaviours such as substance misuse can be a way of blocking out difficult issues. Unemployment and poverty can trigger addiction, along with stress and emotional or professional pressure. Getting help for addictions Addiction is a treatable condition. Whatever the addiction, there are lots of ways you can seek help. You could see your GP for advice or contact an organisation that specialises in helping people with addictions.

• Addiction: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Types & Treatment

  ContentsOverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentOutlook / PrognosisPreventionLiving With ## Overview ### What is addiction? 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. Advertisement [...] Abu Dhabi|Canada|Florida|London|Nevada|Ohio| Home/ Health Library/ Diseases & Conditions/ Addiction AdvertisementAdvertisement # Addiction Addiction is a chronic condition that can affect many aspects of your life, including your physical and mental health, relationships and career. There are two main forms of addiction: substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. Addiction is treatable. It’s crucial to seek help as soon as possible. [...] Alcohol. Caffeine. Cannabis (marijuana). Hallucinogens, such as PCP and LSD. Hypnotics, sedatives and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), such as sleeping pills, benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Inhalants, such as paint thinners, aerosol sprays, gases and nitrites (poppers). Prescription and non-prescription opioids, such as codeine, oxycodone and heroin. Prescription and non-prescription stimulants, such as Adderall®, cocaine and methamphetamine.

• What is Addiction Treatment? - New York State Department of Health

  The point at which an abuser becomes addicted is specific to that individual. Addiction is a chronic and progressive medical condition, with genetic, physical and behavioral components. It is similar to other chronic medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma, all of which can be treated effectively. Research has demonstrated that the relapse rates (40% - 60 percent) for those diseases is the same as for chemical dependency and equally dependent upon how patients comply with [...] The addiction and resultant compulsion for alcohol or drugs can take over the individual's life, leading to a wide range of dysfunctional behaviors that interfere with family, workplace and broader community interactions. Many chemical dependent persons deny they have a problem, deceiving themselves and those close to them. They may show poor judgment, lack impulse control, and show marked mood swings. Persons with addiction can become preoccupied with alcohol or drugs and can be extremely [...] Chemical addiction is a brain disease. Chronic exposure to alcohol and/or drugs changes the brain in fundamental and long lasting ways. Chemical dependence is a chronic, relapsing disease that requires changes in behavior for the individual. This places addiction in a category with heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and other chronic relapsing diseases. Addiction treatment is as effective in reducing the symptoms of the disease as are most treatments for heart disease, asthma and diabetes.

• Top 10 Most Common Addictions In The US

  Among people aged 12 or older in 2020, nearly 2% (or 5.2 million people) reported using cocaine in the last month. Additionally, in 2021 an estimated 0.2% of 8th graders, 0.6% of 10th graders, and 1.2% of 12th graders reported using cocaine in the past 12 months. ### 7. Heroin As of 2020, around 0.3% (or 902,000) of Americans 12 or older reported struggling with a heroin addiction. [...] Alcohol abuse can be deadly, with thousands of deaths associated with overdose and drunk driving occurring every year. In 2021 alone, alcohol-related deaths rose nearly 34% to over 52,000, not including the nearly 56,000 deaths caused by chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. ### 2. Nicotine As of 2020, among people aged 12 or older, 8.5%, (or about 23.6 million) of Americans reported struggling with a nicotine addiction. [...] Explore These Featured Addiction Treatment Centers ### 6. Cocaine As of 2020, around 0.5% (or 1.3 million) Americans aged 12 or older reported having an addiction to cocaine. Rates of cocaine addiction in the US are dropping, however, it remains a major threat to public health. While the decline is slow, crack cocaine, which is cheaper and more intense than regular cocaine, is responsible for many crippling addictions and ruined lives.

• Instance Of

  Q20540385