Addiction Definition

Addiction definition defines the act of substance addiction and abuse. Addiction definition allows addiction rehab centers to better treat patients.

Addiction Definition

The addiction definition that originally appeared in the medical world, was much different then the addiction definition of today. Originally, the term addiction only referred to substance addiction exclusively. In other words, only those that suffered from complete habitual drug dependence with the inability to quit; were deemed to have an addiction. The definition today however, is now applied to multiple forms of dependency such as drug, alcohol and behavior addiction like gambling.
Those who are dependent on substances like heroin, cocaine or alcohol are referred as having substance addiction. The definition for those who are dependent on behaviors like gambling, eating or fetish activity are said to suffer from process addiction. The definition of addiction, regardless of whether it is substance or process, can result in devastating effects. Addicts can suffer severe mental and physical ailments, which may or may not be reversible.

It's not possible to calculate the economic costs of addiction, as the definition only addresses identifying the illness. Addicts can eventually lose everything from their job to their kids, even if they've managed to keep it together temporarily. It begins with missed days at work, loss of income, debt, theft and more. Subsequent treatment can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and it's nearly impossible to calculate the future health care costs endured by addicts as a result of their addiction.

No one is quite sure what causes drug addiction, although it has been attributed to possible chemical weaknesses leaving some individuals susceptible. Additionally, emotional illness may also greatly contribute to the likelihood of drug addiction. On some level, addiction definition is just the habitual nature of humans and our tendency to develop a pattern of behavior. In the case of substance addiction, that behavior has just been misdirected to a negative habit.