15/06/2021 Addiction - Symptoms, Treatment, and More

MENTAL HEALTH A-Z

Addiction
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE on November 02, 2020

An addiction is a disorder characterized by the compulsive use of a rewarding

substance or activity despite experiencing adverse consequences. This complex
condition is in uenced by a person’s genes and their environment and is often
considered a brain disease.

In the past, addiction was thought to only encompass substance abuse, but the
de nition has been expanded to include activities like gambling as well as
gaming and shopping. It’s also important to note that addiction is about the
underlying neurology of the brain and not about the outward behaviors. With
appropriate treatment, people with addictions can go on to live happy, healthy
lives.

UNDERSTANDING ADDICTION

ADDICTION
Can Tapering Off Alcohol Improve Withdrawal?
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

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ADDICTION
What Does It Mean to Be Sober Curious?
Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN

ADDICTION
Signs You Might Be Addicted to Your Fitness Tracker
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
The 11 Official Criteria for Addiction
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is addiction a disease?

What causes addiction?

How can you break an addiction?

Is addiction genetic?

KEY TERMS

Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorders are psychiatric conditions that involve the compulsion
to use a drug or alcohol despite the development of adverse consequences. A
substance abuse disorder diagnosis can be categorized as mild, moderate, or
severe, depending on the number of diagnostic symptoms or criteria a person
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exhibits.

Learn More: What Are Substance Use Disorders?

ADDICTION
What Your Therapist Wants You to Know and Why
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD

MENTAL HEALTH A-Z

Does Oxytocin Affect Your Mental Health?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
How Long Does Withdrawal From Seroquel
(Quetiapine) Last?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

MENTAL HEALTH A-Z

An Overview of Mental Health Statistics  
Fact checked by Emily Swaim

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EXPLORE ADDICTION

All Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use

More

ADDICTION
Everything You Should Know About Voyeuristic Disorder
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD

ADDICTION
The Difference Between Substance Use and Abuse
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
Co-Occurring Disorders: Mental Health Issues & Addiction
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
What's the Difference Between Addiction, Physical
Dependence, and Tolerance?
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
The Comedown, Crash, or Rebound Effect You Get After
Taking Drugs
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
Grandparents May Need to Help Grandchildren Who Live
With Addicts
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
What Is Masturbation Addiction?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD

ADDICTION
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15/06/2021 Addiction - Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Best Alcohol Treatment Centers

Fact checked by Sean Blackburn

PSYCHOTHERAPY
Best Drug Addiction Treatment Centers of 2021
Fact checked by Sean Blackburn

ADDICTION
The Best Apps to Help You Quit Smoking
Fact checked by Sean Blackburn

EMOTIONS
The Best Motivational Interviewing Training Programs
Fact checked by Cara Lustik

ADDICTION
How to Know the Symptoms of an Addiction
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
How Long Does Withdrawal From Adderall Last?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
How Long Does Withdrawal From Sugar Last?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
How Long Does Withdrawal From Gabapentin Last?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
How Long Does Withdrawal From Klonopin Last?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

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15/06/2021 Addiction - Symptoms, Treatment, and More

ADDICTION
When College Drinking and Disordered Eating Collide:
Drunkorexia
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS

DEPRESSION
What's the Connection Between Alcohol and Depression?
By Sarah Sheppard

DEPRESSION
Is It Safe to Drink Alcohol When You're Taking Cymbalta?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
Can Vivitrol Help Your Alcohol or Opioid Dependence?
By Amy Morin, LCSW

MENTAL HEALTH A-Z

How to Spot Delirium and What to Do
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
How to Maintain a Social Life When You’re Quitting Drinking
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD

ADDICTION
Understanding Alcoholic Neuropathy
Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD

ADDICTION
Alcohol Consumption Can Induce Persistent Sleep Disorders
Medically reviewed by Armeen Poor, MD

ADDICTION
How Alcoholism Hits All of Our Pocketbooks
Fact checked by Cara Lustik

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ADDICTION

How Alcohol Can Impair the Body's Hormone System

Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
Medications, Counseling, and Behavioral Therapies for
Alcoholism
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD

ADDICTION
How Much Alcohol Is in Your Drink?
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
Alcohol Metabolism Could Be Key to Alcohol's Dangers
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD

ADDICTION
Why You Should Never Mix Alcohol With Your Pain
Medications
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
How Alcohol Compounds Its Damage to the Brain
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
How the Body's Stress Hormone Increases During Drinking
and Withdrawal
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
Alcohol Effects That Last Long Into Sobriety
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
Description of Alcohol Intoxication in the DSM-5
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
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y y

ADDICTION
Moonshine's Gone Legit But It Still Is Dangerous
Fact checked by Emily Swaim

ADDICTION
Can Zoloft Help Curb Alcoholism?
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
How a Gene Variation Influences the Rate of Alcoholism
Among Jews
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
Prescription and OTC Medications You Should Never Mix
With Alcohol
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
How Abnormal Gut Fermentation Can Lead to Accusations of
Drinking
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
What an Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosis Means
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
Early Signs to Watch for When Someone Is an Alcoholic
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW

ADDICTION
How Smoking Can Increase Health Risks in Alcoholics
Medically reviewed by Armeen Poor, MD

ADDICTION
4 Online Tests That Can Help Determine If You Have a
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15/06/2021 Addiction - Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Drinking Problem
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
8 Steps to Organizing an Alcoholic Intervention
By Buddy T

ADDICTION
How to Gauge the Severity of Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
Why You Should Think of Alcoholism as a Disease
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
What Hitting Bottom Means for an Alcoholic
By Buddy T

ADDICTION
How Genetics Plays a Role in Alcoholism
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD

ADDICTION
Types of Drinking Habits to Avoid
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
Non-Alcoholic Beer Can Be a Trigger for Alcoholics
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
How Alcohol Affects Coagulation and Blood Thinners
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
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15/06/2021 Addiction - Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Could You Have an Alcohol Abuse Problem?

Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
How Much Can You Drink Before You Are Affected by the
Alcohol?
Medically reviewed by Richard Fogoros, MD

ADDICTION
MRI Images Reveal How Alcohol Can Physically Damage
Your Brain
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD

ADDICTION
Why Chronic Drinkers Find Healing More Difficult
Fact checked by Adah Chung

ADDICTION
Denial Runs Deep With Functional Alcoholics
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
What Is Alcohol Use Disorder
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

ADDICTION
Underage Drinking Risk Factors and Consequences
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

ADDICTION
Alcohol's Effect on Testosterone May Explain Aggression
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD

ADDICTION
Why Heavy Drinkers Decide to Change Their Alcohol Drinking
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE

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15/06/2021 Addiction - Symptoms, Treatment, and More

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