What is addiction?

What is addiction?

Addiction is a condition that affects the brain and behaviour. The person feels an intense need to use a substance (such as alcohol, cocaine, cannabis or prescription medication) or to repeat a behaviour (such as gambling, shopping or gaming and internet use), even when they know it is harming them.

It is not a matter of lacking willpower or character. Substances and certain behaviours activate the brain’s reward system. Over time, the brain adapts: the person comes to need the substance or behaviour just to feel “normal” and finds it harder and harder to stop.

The main signs of addiction

Health professionals look at a number of signs. The more of them that are present, the more severe the addiction tends to be:

• Loss of control: using more, or for longer, than intended.
• Unsuccessful attempts to stop: wanting to cut down or quit, but not managing to.
• Strong urges (craving): persistent thoughts about using and a constant desire to use.
• A lot of time spent: obtaining, using or recovering from the effects.
• Neglecting responsibilities: letting things slip at work, in education or at home.
• Relationship problems: conflict with family and friends because of the use.
• Giving up activities: no longer doing things the person used to enjoy.
• Use in risky situations: for example, driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Carrying on despite the harm: continuing to use even when it causes physical or psychological problems.
• Tolerance: needing larger and larger amounts to get the same effect.
• Withdrawal symptoms: feeling physically or psychologically unwell when cutting down or stopping.

Substance addiction and behavioural addiction

Addiction is not limited to drugs and alcohol.

• Substance addiction: alcohol, cocaine, heroin and other opioids, cannabis, benzodiazepines, amphetamines and other drugs.
• Behavioural addiction: gambling and betting, computer gaming and the internet, compulsive shopping, sex.

In both cases the pattern is similar: loss of control, intense craving and carrying on despite the consequences.

What causes addiction?

There is no single cause. Addiction almost always results from a combination of factors:

• Biological: genetic predisposition and the way each person’s brain responds to substances.
• Psychological: anxiety, depression, trauma, grief or low self-esteem. Many people start using to ease emotional pain.
• Social and environmental: peer pressure, stress, isolation, easy access and examples set within the family.

Addiction often occurs alongside other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression. That is why treatment should look at the whole person.

How do I know if I or a family member needs help?

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Have I tried to cut down or stop and not been able to?
2. Have people close to me told me they are worried?
3. Do I feel guilt or shame about my use?
4. Is my use affecting my work, my health or my family?

If you answered “yes” to any of them, it is worth speaking to a professional. The sooner you seek help, the easier recovery is.

If you are a family member, please know that you are not alone. We also help families who are looking for help for someone close to them.

Addiction can be treated

Addiction is a treatable illness. Treatment generally combines individual and group therapy, approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), work on the 12 steps, care for physical health and an aftercare plan to help prevent relapse once treatment ends.

Find out more in Short-term and long-term addiction treatment.

Frequently asked questions

Is addiction an illness? Yes. Addiction is recognised by the World Health Organization as an illness, with its own diagnostic criteria. It is chronic, but treatable.

Can you have an addiction without using every day? Yes. What defines addiction is not just how often someone uses, but the loss of control and the consequences for the person’s life.

Is it possible to recover on your own? Some people manage it, but most need professional support. Structured treatment greatly improves the chances of a lasting recovery.