This document defines addiction and discusses its various types. Addiction is defined as a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a substance or engaging in an activity, even when it is causing harm. The most common addictions are to drugs like nicotine, THC, opioids, and cocaine, as well as alcohol, caffeine, gambling, food, technology, sex, and work. Signs of addiction include social and behavioral changes, health issues, and an inability to control substance use or harmful behaviors. Treatment involves medication, psychotherapy, medical services, and support groups. Untreated addiction can lead to long-term physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences.

1. ADDICTION

3. Meaning
• Addiction is a psychological and physical
inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug,
activity, or substance, even though it is
causing psychological and physical harm.
• The term addiction does not only refer to
dependence on substances such as heroin or
cocaine. A person who cannot stop taking a
particular drug or chemical has a substance
dependence.

4. Definition
Wikipedia define that
• Addiction is the compulsive use of a
substance or performance of a behavior that
is independent of withdrawal. Addiction can
occur in the absence of dependence, and
dependence can occur in the absence
of addiction, although the two often occur
together.

5. Someone experiencing an addiction
will:
• be unable stay away from the substance or
stop the addictive behavior
• display a lack of self-control
• have an increased desire for the substance or
behavior
• dismiss how their behavior may be causing
problems
• lack an emotional response

6. What are the types?
• According to U.K. charity Action on Addiction, 1 in 3 people
in the world have an addiction of some kind. Addiction can
come in the form of any substance or behavior.
• The most well-known and serious addiction is to drugs
and alcohol. Nearly 1 in 10 Americans have an addiction to
both. Of the people with a drug addiction, more than two-
thirds also abuse alcohol.
• The most common drug addictions are:
• nicotine, found in tobacco
• THC, found in marijuana
• opioid (narcotics), or pain relievers
• cocaine

7. Substances or behaviors that can
trigger addiction
• In 2014, Addiction.com, a website devoted to helping
those with addiction, listed the top 10 types of
addictions. Besides nicotine, drugs, and alcohol, other
common addictions include:
• coffee or caffeine
• gambling
• anger, as a coping strategy
• food
• technology
• sex
• work

8. What are the signs?
• Most signs of addiction relate to a person’s
impaired ability to maintain self-control. This
includes changes that are:
• social, such as seeking out situations that
encourage a substance or behavior
• behavioral, such increased secrecy
• health related, such as insomnia or memory
loss
• related to personality

9. The primary indications of addiction
are:
• uncontrollably seeking drugs
• uncontrollably engaging in harmful levels of habit-forming behavior
• neglecting or losing interest in activities that do not involve the harmful
substance or behavior
• relationship difficulties, which often involve lashing out at people who
identify the dependency
• an inability to stop using a drug, though it may be causing health problems
or personal problems, such as issues with employment or relationships
• hiding substances or behaviors and otherwise exercising secrecy, for
example, by refusing to explain injuries that occurred while under the
influence
• profound changes in appearance, including a noticeable abandonment of
hygiene
• increased risk-taking, both to access the substance or activity and while
using it or engaging in it

10. These symptoms include:
• anxiety
• irritability
• tremors and shaking
• nausea
• vomiting
• fatigue
• a loss of appetite
• If a person has regularly used alcohol or
benzodiazepines, and they stop suddenly or without
medical supervision, withdrawal can be fatal.

11. Some behavior and emotional changes
associated with addiction include:
• unrealistic or poor assessment of the pros and cons
associated with using substances or behaviors
• blaming other factors or people for their problems
• increased levels of anxiety, depression, and sadness
• increased sensitivity and more severe reactions to
stress
• trouble identifying feelings
• trouble telling the difference between feelings and the
physical sensations of one’s emotions

12. Where can you get support for
addiction?
• Overcoming addiction is a long journey. Support can go a long way in making the recovery process
more successful. Many organizations can help, depending on the type of addiction.
• These include:
• Al-Anon
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Cocaine Anonymous (CA)
• Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA)
• Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
• Marijuana Anonymous (MA)
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
• Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA)
• Faces and Voices of Recovery
• National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Smart Recovery
• Women for Sobriety
• Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America

13. How do you treat addiction?
• Common therapies include:
• medications, for mental disorders such as depression
or schizophrenia
• psychotherapy, including behavioral, talk, and group
therapies
• medical services, to help treat serious complications of
addiction, like withdrawal during detox
• addiction case manager, to help coordinate and check
ongoing treatment
• inpatient addiction treatment
• self-help and support groups

14. What are the complications?
• Addiction that’s left untreated can lead to
long-term consequences. These consequences
can be:
• physical, such as heart disease, HIV/AIDS, and
neurological damage
• psychological and emotional, such as anxiety,
stress, and depression
• social, such as jail and damaged relationships
• economic, such as bankruptcy and debt