addiction

Habit beyond control

Addiction is compulsive engagement with something despite harmful consequences.

The term traditionally applied to substance dependence—alcohol, heroin, nicotine—where the body develops tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.

Usage has expanded to behavioral patterns: gambling addiction, social media addiction, addiction to drama.

The looser sense risks trivializing clinical addiction, but reflects genuine experiences of feeling unable to stop.

Someone can be addicted to exercise or addicted to approval.

An addict is one who suffers from addiction.

compulsion

urge

Strong inner drive

impulseSudden urge to act
cravingPowerful urge to have
fixationPersistent mental attachment

obsession · preoccupation · drive · need · yearning · longing · hunger · thirst · desire · itch

dependency

withdrawal

Act of taking away

toleranceWillingness to accept difference
relapseReturn to former illness
substancePhysical material with mass

methadone · rehabilitation · detoxification · codependency · enabler · intervention · dopamine · serotonin · neurochemistry · opioids

behavior

habit

Settled regular tendency

patternRecurring arrangement or template
routineRegular sequence of actions
ritualCeremonial set of actions

binge · gambling · shopping · gaming · pornography · social media · internet · smartphone · hoarding · overeating

harm

destructive

Causing severe harm

damagingCausing loss or injury
toxicCapable of causing harm
debilitatingCausing severe impairment

ruinous · dysfunctional · self-destructive · consequences · health · relationships · finances · career · isolation · shame

recovery

sobriety

Unimpaired mental state

abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
therapyCurative mental treatment

detoxification · 12-step · sponsor · support group · relapse prevention · counseling · healing · wellness · restoration · renewal

Categories

personal strugglesself-doubt, loneliness, insecurity, anxiety, depression
addictionsubstance abuse, drug dependence, substance dependency, substance use disorder, alcoholism
adult psychologystress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, motivation
psychology termsmotivation, habits, self-knowledge, stress, intuition
substance abuseabuse, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, substance use, substance misuse
Addiction Harmsoverdose, dependence, dependency, withdrawal, relapse

Opposites

dependence vs autonomy

addictionindependence

Freedom from external control

freedom · self-control · autonomy · liberation · self-sufficiency

compulsive attraction vs emotional disengagement

addictionindifference

Lack of interest

apathy · disinterest · aversion · detachment · dislike

harmful attachment vs healthy relationship

addictionwellness

Overall state of health

health · balance · wholeness · flourishing · self-care

Phrases

digital addictionCompulsive device overuse
drug addictionCompulsive need for intoxicants
gambling addictionUncontrollable urge to wager
sexual addictionCompulsive erotic behavior disorder
phone addictionCompulsive device use
alcohol addictionDependence on intoxicating beverages

Family

addictive, addicting, addictions, nonaddictive, addictiveness, addiction-like

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG