Addiction

An addiction refers to a drug dependency that 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. Drugs take over their life.

The term 'addiction' is usually applied to drugs but can be used with lots of activities that can become compulsive habits - like gambling or using arcade games or even eating, sex and 'healthy' pursuits like jogging. The term 'workaholic' has been used to describe people addicted to work and 'alcoholic' for someone who is addicted to alcohol.