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What is addiction? 


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Addiction is defined as a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, loss of control in limiting intake, and negative emotional states upon drug access prevention . It is a disease involving detrimental behaviors towards oneself or others, with a primary focus on brain circuitry dysfunction leading to biological, psychological, social, and spiritual manifestations . The addiction cycle typically progresses through three stages: preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect . Various factors contribute to addiction's etiology, including motivational, psychodynamic, social psychological, and vulnerability aspects . Addiction can manifest in various forms, from substance abuse to behavioral addictions like gambling, shopping, or even relationships . Effective treatment involves a combination of pharmacological interventions, psychological support, group meetings, and early intervention for optimal outcomes .

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Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2006
12 Citations
Addiction is a chronic disorder involving compulsive drug seeking, loss of control over intake, and negative emotional states when access is restricted, encompassing stages of intoxication, withdrawal, and anticipation.
BookDOI
John Davies, W. Saunders, S. Helfgott 
01 Oct 2018
2 Citations
Addiction is when habits like drinking, drug use, or gambling take over daily life, leading to powerlessness to stop despite promises. It can involve various activities as means of escape.
Book ChapterDOI
Andrei D. Sdrulla, Grace Chen, Kim Mauer 
01 Jan 2015
2 Citations
Addiction is defined as a chronic brain disease by ASAM, involving dysfunctional reward circuits leading to harmful behaviors like substance abuse, impaired control, craving, and emotional dysfunction.
Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2006
16 Citations
Addiction is a chronic disorder involving compulsive drug seeking, loss of control over intake, and negative emotional states when access is restricted, evolving through preoccupation, bingeing, and withdrawal stages.
Book ChapterDOI
01 Mar 2023
Addiction is a chronic physiological need for a habit-forming substance despite harmful consequences, involving stages of preoccupation, withdrawal, and intoxication, with changes in brain circuitry and neurotransmitters like dopamine.

Related Questions

What is alcoholism?4 answersAlcoholism, also known as Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), is a complex and chronic condition characterized by compulsive alcohol consumption despite negative consequences on health, relationships, and responsibilities. It is considered a disease by the World Health Organization, ranking third in global disease burden. Alcoholism leads to various health issues, social problems, and economic burdens, contributing to over 2.5 million deaths annually worldwide. Factors like age, gender, personality traits, and socioeconomic status play significant roles in the development and manifestation of alcoholism. Treatment for alcoholism aims at reducing alcohol intake and mitigating its adverse effects through a combination of pharmacotherapies and psychotherapies. The primary goal of treatment is achieving abstinence and fostering supportive relationships within families and with healthcare professionals.
What characterizes an addiction=?4 answersAddiction is characterized by a complex interplay of factors, including compulsive and dyscontrolled drug use with maladaptive outcomes. It involves an oscillation between conflicting judgments due to dysfunction in the mesolimbic dopamine system, leading to a loss of control over drug-seeking behavior. Contrary to the common belief of addiction as solely a neurobiological disease of compulsion, individuals often engage in drug use due to the perceived value of drugs, indicating a goal-directed behavior rather than pure compulsion. Additionally, addiction is linked to habitual nonmedical self-administration of drugs, often defined by intoxication or withdrawal symptoms and the activation of dopamine-related brain mechanisms, influencing memory, motivation, and interest in other activities. These diverse aspects collectively contribute to the multifaceted nature of addiction.
What is addiction ?5 answersAddiction is a chronic disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, a loss of control in limiting intake, and the emergence of a negative emotional state when access to the drug is prevented. It can be formed to any activity or behavior that allows people to escape from life and its problems. Addiction affects the brain's reward system and involves changes in brain circuitry and critical neurotransmitters such as dopamine. The addiction cycle consists of three stages: preoccupation/anticipation, binge/intoxication, and withdrawal/negative affect. Motivational, psychodynamic, social psychological, and vulnerability factors contribute to the etiology of addiction. Treatment for addiction often involves a combination of pharmacological treatments, group meetings, psychological support, and physician advice.
What is the definition of addiction in social media?4 answersAddiction in social media refers to a condition where individuals exhibit compulsive and excessive use of social media platforms, leading to adverse outcomes and potentially affecting their lives negatively. While there is ongoing debate about whether social media use should be classified as a clinically defined addictive behavior, the empirical evidence does not currently support the existence of a psychological affliction known as "social media addiction". However, research has identified various problems associated with social media use, such as lower self-esteem, fear of missing out (FOMO), bullying, anxiety, and depression. Further research is needed to better understand the association between social media use and addiction, as well as to explore potential treatments and prevention strategies for the problems associated with social media use.
What is Addiction?5 answersAddiction is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, a loss of control in limiting intake, and the emergence of a negative emotional state when access to the drug is prevented. It is a disease manifested as detrimental behavior to self or others, involving dysfunction in brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry. Addiction is a primary, chronic disease that leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social, and spiritual manifestations, resulting in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief through substance use and other behaviors. It often involves cycles of relapse and remission, and without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, it can progress and lead to disability or premature death. Addiction can be formed to any activity or behavior that allows people to escape from life and its problems, including substance abuse, gambling, and even other people.
What is smoking addiction?5 answersSmoking addiction is a complex addiction with physical, psychological, and social components. It is characterized by the compulsive need to re-consume nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, to experience its effects such as stimulation, euphoria, and decreased anxiety. Nicotine acts on various neurotransmission systems in the brain, including the dopaminergic system, which is the most important in nicotine dependence. Abstinence syndrome, which includes physical and psychological symptoms, occurs when smoking is interrupted or reduced. Smoking addiction is the most common preventable cause of death in the United States and is associated with frequent abstinence attempts, relapse, and low sustained abstinence over time. The reward circuits in the brain play a crucial role in the initial reinforcing effects of tobacco addiction, but the exact causal connectivity among these circuits is still unclear. Smoking addiction is a major public health threat, causing millions of deaths worldwide, and effective treatments for nicotine addiction are still limited.

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