A term referring to compulsive drug use, psychological dependence, and continuing use despite harm. Addiction is frequently and incorrectly equated with physical dependence and withdrawal. See also: Treatment
Being dependant on a substance which is harmful physically or mentally.
A primary, chronic, neurobiological disease, with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations; addiction is characterized by behaviors that include one or more of the following: Impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving.
a term referring to compulsive drug use, psychological dependence and continuing use despite harm. Addiction is frequently and incorrectly equated with physical dependence and withdrawal. Physical dependence, not addiction, is an expected result of opioid use.
A psychological dependence on a medicine; uncontrollable drug craving, seeking, and use. Substance abusers, or addicts, take drugs to satisfy physical, emotional, and psychological needs, not to solve medical problems.
Dependence on a substance that is harmful to physical or mental health, social well-being, or economic functioning.
Any activity that repeatedly harms self or others. The repeated overruling of the human will. The continued maintenance of a level of a substance in the bloodstream (medical definition). "Everything in excess is opposed to nature (Hippocrates, c. 400 B.C.)"
Surrender and devotion to the regular use of a medicinal or pleasurable substance for the sake of relief, comfort, stimulation, or exhilaration which it affords; often with craving when the drug is absent. PS dependence.
emotional and/or physical dependence on a substance.
Psychological or physiological dependence on a drug. Severe symptoms appear after prolonged misuse and the abuser discontinues the drug.
Physical and psychological craving for a drug or drugs and related behaviours. The process of addiction is progressive and chronic. Addiction is more commonly referred to as psychological and physical dependence.
A state of dependence produced by the habitual taking of drugs, including alcohol, characterised by compulsion, loss of control and continued patterns of use despite negative consequences.
to be physically dependent on something such as tobacco. An overpowering need with physiological cravings.
Addiction may be defined as ‘a comforting but artificial and self-consuming relationship with something external to self' (Peele, 1975). This relationship continues despite eventual negative consequences. More...
Strong emotional and/or psychological dependence on a substance, such as alcohol or drugs, that has progressed beyond voluntary control.
being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)
an abnormally strong craving
a behavior characterized by an obsession (intense, abnormal attraction) or dependence on a particular substance or activity
a complex illness with both physical and psychological symptoms
a complex illness with physical and psychological symptoms, affecting not only the patient, but their family, friends and social environment too
a compulsion to use a substance or persist with a certain behaviour in order to feel good or to avoid feeling bad
a compulsive behavior that traps and enslaves a person
a compulsive physical or psychological need that controls you
a dependency on a substance, an activity, or a relationship that pulls the addict away from everything else in the world
a form of compulsion that leads one to do something repeatedly that is quite injurious to the self or others
a habit that gets out of hand
a habit that takes hold of our imaginations and refuses to allow us a foc
a habit that you know is bad for you, but you just can't break - people become addicted to many things
a habitual behavior that is intended to protect against pain
an activity or substance we repeatedly crave to experience, and for which we are willing if necessary to pay a price (or negative consequence)
an habitual practice, the cessation of which causes severe trauma
an uncontrollable strong craving for something, or to be abnormally dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming
a physical or psychological dependence on a substance or behavior
a progressive disorder with mounting consequences with a genetic, biological heritage
a psychological and physiological dependance on a substance or activity
a state of being dependent on a certain substance, which is harmful or dangerous for the physical or mental health of the person, for his social well-being and economical functioning of the subject
Psychological or emotional dependence on the effects of a drug.
Addiction raises some of the sharpest questions about the dividing line between the legitimate exercise of patients' autonomy and the warranted scope of "paternalistic" intervention. Some forms of drug addiction seem to damage the capacity for autonomous decision, which may tend to support the notion that criminal liability is thereby also decreased. Finally, the boundaries of addiction continue to be contested, as a variety of forms of self-destructive behavior are proposed as candidates for bearing the label "addiction." [See Case Studies related to Addiction
Dependence on a chemical to the extent that a physical or mental need is established.
1. A habit or trait, done to excess in the unrealistic hope that it will improve one's mood, when in reality it will be negative and harmful. 2. Repetitive patterns of behavior that result both in an impaired sense of reality and personal isolation. 3. An allergy (physical) coupled with a compulsion (mental) to use drugs. The inability to stop using. "Going to any length to use drugs," characterized by insanity and a failure to manage the rest of one’s life. Physical, emotional and mental breakdowns. Relationships suffer immensely. 4. Your mind and/or your body constantly telling you to do to excess something that is not good for you. 5. A habitual inability to choose good behaviors or actions over bad, despite the knowledge that the behavior or action is consistently destructive.
Physical and psychological craving for a drug or drugs and related behaviours. The process of addiction is progressive and chronic. The state of addiction is more commonly referred to as a varying state of dependency (NCETA, 2002).
dependence on substance to the extent that cessation causes trauma
Use of a substance in a chronic, compulsive, or uncontrollable way.
Pattern of compulsive drug use characterized by a continued craving for an opioid and the need to use the opioid for effects other than pain relief.
Physical dependence on a drug characterized by tolerance and withdrawal.
A brain disorder characterized by the loss of control of drug-taking behavior, despite adverse health, social, or legal consequences to continued drug use. Addiction tends to be chronic and to be characterized by relapses during recovery.
a problem that is defined by a repeated action that does harm to the person doing it but the person continues to do the activity and usually increases the activity; it can apply to drugs (for example, alcohol, nicotine in cigarettes, pain pills, heroin, cocaine) or to activities (for example, sex, vomiting, eating, and even exercise in extreme cases)
a stage, psychic and sometimes physical, resulting from interaction between a living organism and a drug, characterised by behavioural and other responses that always include a compulsion to take the drug on a continuous or periodic basis in order to experience its psychic effects and sometimes to avoid the discomfort of its absence. Tolerance may or may not be present. (W.H.O. 1969).
a craving for chemical substances, such as nicotine, that the addicted person finds difficult to control. Also known as drug dependence.
Dependence on a chemical substance to the extent that a physiological or strong psychological need is established. The need appears as withdrawal symptoms when the substance is removed. Narcotics, alcohol, nicotine and most sedative drugs may produce addiction.
A chronic, relapsing disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and abuse and by long-lasting chemical changes in the brain.
psychological dependence on a drug. See dependence.
General term referring to the concepts of tolerance and dependency. According to WHO addiction is the repeated use of a psychoactive substance to the extent that the user is periodically or chronically intoxicated, shows a compulsion to take the preferred substance, has great difficulty in voluntarily ceasing or modifying substance use, and exhibits determination to obtain the substance by almost any means. Some authors prefer the term addiction to dependence, because the former also refers to the evolutive process preceding dependence.
means that a drug dependency has developed to such an extent that it has serious detrimental effects on the user and often their family as well. They may be using every day and be intoxicated most of the time and have great difficulty stopping drug use. The term 'addiction' is usually applied to drugs but can be used with lots of activities that can become compulsive habits, like gambling, alcohol, and even healthy habits.
A compulsive use of a substance even though the substance causes harm. Addiction is not defined by physical dependence or tolerance. Traits of addiction are loss of control, cravings, and adverse consequences resulting from use of a substance.
Uncontrollable craving, seeking, and use of a substance such as a drug or alcohol.
Refers to both the physical craving for a chemical and to the psychologically learned behavior in which the person develops a primary relationship with a chemical (i.e., it comes before everything else).
This is a condition where you become dependent on, or can’t do without, physical substances or an activity to the point that stopping it is very hard and causes severe physical and mental reactions. Substances you can become addicted to include tobacco, alcohol, and drugs (both illegal and prescription drugs). Activities that can be addicting include lying, stealing, and gambling. Addiction can be treated with counseling and, in some cases, medication.
dependence on a substance (such as alcohol or other drugs) or an activity, to the point that stopping is very difficult and causes severe physical and mental reactions
Addiction is sometimes described as a "physical dependence" (the existence of withdrawal symptoms) or as "psychological dependence" (the habit-forming effects of euphoric experiences).
Physical dependence upon a drug, characterized by withdrawal symptoms in the absence of the drug.
A habit-forming substance (such as tobacco, heroin, cocaine, or alcohol), the use of which is characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal, is addictive. An addiction is a physiological and psychological dependence on a drug that can lead a person to experience tolerance and/or withdrawal effects.
A physiological and psychological compulsion for a habit-forming substance. In extreme cases, an addiction may become an overwhelming obsession.
A chronic, relapsing disease, characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and drug use, and by neurological adaptations in the brain.
Dependence on a substance, such as alcohol or drugs. It's usually characterized by impaired control over and preoccupation with the use of the substance, as well as continued use of the substance despite adverse consequences.
A dependence on alcohol, drugs, sex, etc. that becomes a physical and psychological craving. No consequence or hurt can stop an addiction.
An illness in which a person seeks and consumes a substance, such as alcohol, tobacco or a drug, despite the fact that it causes harm.
The result of repeated use of some drugs. The consequences are increased tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, which cause addiction to be self-perpetuating.
Chronic, progressive and compulsive use of a substance with a tendency to relapse into use after withdrawal. Physiologic dependence may or may not be a component of this behavior. Inability to end substance abuse without treatment.
A disease process characterized by the continued use of a specific psychoactive substance despite physical, psychological or social harm.
when someone depends on a drug or chemical physically and/or mentally.
A condition in which a person is dependent on a particular substance and loses control over use of that substance.
An uncontrollable craving for a drug or pleasurable activity. Our thoughts about addiction must begin with the notion of habit. Familiar, repetitious habits are simply the things we do. Culture is largely a matter of habit, things we learned from our parents and those around us and then slowly modified by shifting conditions and inspired innovations. When habits start to consume us, when our devotion to them exceeds the culturally defined norms, we label them as obsessions or addictions. We feel, in such situations, as if our free will has somehow been violated. People can become addicted to almost anything: a behaviour pattern such as reading the morning paper, drugs, property, power over other people, work, etc.
Physical or psychological dependence on a substance, with lack of the substance causing withdrawal symptoms.
The physical and psychological craving for a substance that develops into a dependency and continues even though it is causing the addicted person physical, psychological and social harm. The disease of addiction is chronic and progressive, and the craving may apply to behaviors as well as substances.
habitual dependence on a substance
A chemical and/or psychological need to use tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs.
A chronic, relapsing disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use and by neurochemical and molecular changes in the brain.
A behavioral pattern of drug abuse characterized by overwhelming involvement with the use of a drug (compulsive use), the securing of its supply and a high tendency to relapse after discontinuation.
the compulsive use of a substance or a compulsive behavior with complex molecular and psychological roots.
physical and psy-chological dependence, includ-ing tolerance of a drug, withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped, and persistent relapses following reversal of physical dependence.
A state that involves a physical or psychological dependency on a drug or alcohol.
Artificial physical dependency to alcohol, street drugs, or certain prescribed medications (benzodiaphaphenes). Though sometimes used to refer to mood disorders, this is not correct or accurate usage. Nor does it apply to the physician-supervised use of psychopharmaceuticals intended to balance brain chemistry. Anyone who tells you otherwise is sadly misinformed.
The compelling need to continue a behavior even if it is harmful.
uncontrollable psychological and physiological dependence on a substance or practice that is beyond voluntary control and has progressed to a degree that withdrawal from it causes severe reactions.
refers to the psychological need to use drugs for other than medical reasons.
intense physiological and psychological craving for a drug
Strong dependence or habitual use of a substance or practice, despite the negative consequences of its use.
Psychological or emotional Click for full entry End of Life
A condition that happens after a person becomes dependent on a drug and believes that he or she mentally and physically really wants the drug in his or her life. All the addicted drug user can think about is the next dose. Sometimes addicted users steal, rob, or hurt others to get drugs. They often forget about their friends, families, and communities because overwhelming drug-seeking behaviors take over their lives.
Addiction is a chronic disorder proposed to be precipitated by a combination of genetic, biological/pharmacological and social factors. Addiction is characterized by the repeated use of substances or behaviors despite clear evidence of morbidity secondary to such use.
