Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Treatment

Coping

For a long time, addiction meant an uncontrollable habit of using alcohol or otherdrugs. More recently, the concept of addiction has expanded to include behaviors, such asgambling, as well as substances, and even ordinary and necessary activities, such asexerciseandeating.

Why Addiction Is a Chronic Brain Disease

Types of Addiction

While addiction to substances has often appeared clear-cut, there’s some controversy about what substances aretruly addictive. Current guidelines in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5), the diagnostic tool used to diagnose different types of mental health conditions, indicate that mostpsychoactivesubstances, including medications, have the potential to be addictive.

Addictions vs. Substance Use Disorders

The term addiction is used to describe compulsive drug-seeking behaviors that continue in spite of negative outcomes, but it is important to note that addiction is not considered an official diagnosis in the DSM-5.

Rather than using the term “addiction,” the DSM-5 classifies substance use disorders. While the diagnostic criteria vary for each type, the DSM-5 describes these disorders as a problematic pattern of use of intoxicating substances that leads to significant impairment and distress. These symptoms can result in impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and tolerance/withdrawal.

Substance Use Disorders

There are differentsubstance use disordersfound in the DSM-5:

Behavioral Addictions

The DSM-5 also recognizes two types ofbehavioral addiction:

There is still much debate about whether manybehavioral addictionsare “true” addictions. More research is needed to clarify this issue. Whileshopping addiction,sex addiction, andexercise addictionare often noted as behavioral addictions, the DSM-5 does not officially recognize these as distinct disorders.

Addiction Symptoms

The signs and symptoms vary from one addiction type to another, but some common symptoms of addiction include:

Defining Features of Addiction

Two aspects that all addictions have in common:

Addiction vs. Dependence

It is important to distinguish between dependence and addiction. When people become dependent on a substance, it means that they experience drug tolerance and drug withdrawal:

A person can become dependent on a drug without being addicted, although the two often occur together. Addiction occurs when people continue to compulsively use a drug despite harmful consequences.

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

Addiction diagnosis usually requires recognizing that there is a problem and seeking help. Substance use is not always an indication of addiction, although drug use carries numerous health and social risks in addition to the risk of addiction.

The exact diagnosis a person receives will depend on the nature of their addiction. Commonly misused substances that can lead to addiction include:

Because some substances have the potential to cause dangerouswithdrawal symptoms, it is important to receive an appropriate diagnosis in order to get the best treatment.

DSM 5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorders

If You Think You Might Have an Addiction

It is common, if not normal, to go through a stage of engaging in substance use or an addictive behavior without believing you are addicted. This is so common, in fact, that it has a name, the pre-contemplation stage.

If you are starting to think you might have an addiction, you have probably moved into the contemplation stage. This is a great time to find out more about the substance or behavior that you have been engaging in and to reflect honestly on whether you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of addiction.

If this happens, or if you have been drinking or using drugs, such as opioids—illicit or prescribed, other prescription medications, stimulants, cocaine, or meth—you should seek medical help immediately.

Stopping some drugs then relapsing can heighten your risk of overdose, mental health problems, or other life-threatening medical complications, and should be done under medical supervision.

The Stages of Overcoming an Addiction

Substances and behaviors can create a physical and psychological high. Over time, people develop a tolerance, meaning it takes more of something to achieve those same initial effects. Some of the factors that can contribute to addiction include:

Addictions take time to develop. It is unlikely that a person will become addicted after using a substance once, although it is possible to develop a mental health problem or to die of anoverdoseor another complication after one use of some substances.

Addiction is treatable, but not all routes to recovery are the same. Relapses are not uncommon, so the journey may take time.Some of the common treatment approaches that may be used include:

Although there are some schools of thought that stress the need for completeabstinence, many people are able to learn to control addictive behaviors, such as drinking, eating, shopping, and sex. The approach that will be best for you depends on many factors and is best decided in collaboration with your doctor or therapist.

Coping With an Addiction

In addition to getting appropriate treatment, there are things that you can do that will make it easier to cope and aid in your recovery.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

What This Means For YouMany people fear the term addiction and believe it is an indication of failure orworthlessness. People with addictions often carry stigma about their behavior, leading to shame and fear of seeking help. The world is changing, and you may find that getting help for your addiction is the best thing you ever do for yourself. In the meantime, we hope that educating yourself will help on your journey to wellness.

What This Means For You

Many people fear the term addiction and believe it is an indication of failure orworthlessness. People with addictions often carry stigma about their behavior, leading to shame and fear of seeking help. The world is changing, and you may find that getting help for your addiction is the best thing you ever do for yourself. In the meantime, we hope that educating yourself will help on your journey to wellness.

How to Overcome an Addiction

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Addiction Medicine.Definition of addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.The science of drug use and addiction: the basics..American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(5th Edition), Washington DC, American Psychiatric Association. 2013.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?.Cleveland Clinic.Addictions: An overview.Ducci F, Goldman D.The genetic basis of addictive disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2012;35(2):495‐519. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2012.03.010National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction - Treatment and Recovery.Hilton TF, Pilkonis PA.The key to individualized addiction treatment is comprehensive assessment and monitoring of symptoms and behavioral change.Behav Sci (Basel). 2015;5(4):477‐495. Published 2015 Oct 30. doi:10.3390/bs5040477

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Addiction Medicine.Definition of addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.The science of drug use and addiction: the basics..American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(5th Edition), Washington DC, American Psychiatric Association. 2013.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?.Cleveland Clinic.Addictions: An overview.Ducci F, Goldman D.The genetic basis of addictive disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2012;35(2):495‐519. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2012.03.010National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction - Treatment and Recovery.Hilton TF, Pilkonis PA.The key to individualized addiction treatment is comprehensive assessment and monitoring of symptoms and behavioral change.Behav Sci (Basel). 2015;5(4):477‐495. Published 2015 Oct 30. doi:10.3390/bs5040477

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Society of Addiction Medicine.Definition of addiction.National Institute on Drug Abuse.The science of drug use and addiction: the basics..American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(5th Edition), Washington DC, American Psychiatric Association. 2013.National Institute on Drug Abuse.Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?.Cleveland Clinic.Addictions: An overview.Ducci F, Goldman D.The genetic basis of addictive disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2012;35(2):495‐519. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2012.03.010National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction - Treatment and Recovery.Hilton TF, Pilkonis PA.The key to individualized addiction treatment is comprehensive assessment and monitoring of symptoms and behavioral change.Behav Sci (Basel). 2015;5(4):477‐495. Published 2015 Oct 30. doi:10.3390/bs5040477

American Society of Addiction Medicine.Definition of addiction.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.The science of drug use and addiction: the basics..

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(5th Edition), Washington DC, American Psychiatric Association. 2013.

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?.

Cleveland Clinic.Addictions: An overview.

Ducci F, Goldman D.The genetic basis of addictive disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2012;35(2):495‐519. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2012.03.010

National Institute on Drug Abuse.Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction - Treatment and Recovery.

Hilton TF, Pilkonis PA.The key to individualized addiction treatment is comprehensive assessment and monitoring of symptoms and behavioral change.Behav Sci (Basel). 2015;5(4):477‐495. Published 2015 Oct 30. doi:10.3390/bs5040477

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