What is an Addiction?

However, most addictive behaviour is not related to either physical tolerance or exposure to triggers. People compulsively use drugs, alcohol, gambling or sex nearly always in reaction to being emotionally stressed, whether or not they have a physical addiction. Since these psychologically based addictions are not based on drug, or even on non-drug behaviour, the focus of the addictions isn't what matters; it's the need to act under certain kinds of stress. Treating this kind of addiction requires an understanding of how it works psychologically.

When referring to any kind of addiction, it is important to recognise that its cause is not simply a search for pleasure and that addiction has nothing to do with one's morality or strength of character. Experts debate whether addiction is a "disease" or a true mental illness, whether drug addiction and dependence mean the same thing, and many other aspects of addiction. Such debates are not likely to be resolved soon. But the lack of resolution does not preclude effective treatment.