Addiction: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Types & Treatment

Addiction is a chronic and complex disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Whether addiction involves drug use, alcohol addiction, or behavioral addiction, this condition alters brain function, leading to compulsive drug seeking and harmful consequences. 

Understanding the symptoms and causes of addiction, and effective treatment options can help break the cycle of addiction and support long-term healing.

What is addiction?

Addiction is a disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction is a serious brain disorder that affects behavior and decision-making. [1] Drug Misuse and Addiction | National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2025, January 30). National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a disease that involves both physical dependence and behavioral addiction, leading to severe health problems. [2] What is the Definition of Addiction? (n.d.). Default. https://www.asam.org/quality-care/definition-of-addiction

How are addictions diagnosed?

Addictions are diagnosed through a comprehensive evaluation by healthcare professionals. The process includes a detailed assessment of substance use patterns, medical and mental health history, and the impact on daily life.

Clinicians use standardized tools and diagnostic criteria, such as those in the DSM-5, to identify substance use disorders based on symptoms like cravings, tolerance, withdrawal, and loss of control.

Signs & symptoms of addiction

Common signs of addiction include:

• Compulsive drug and alcohol seeking and use
• Inability to control use despite negative health problems
• Developing tolerance, requiring larger amounts for the same effect
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when the substance or behavior is stopped
• Neglecting responsibilities and relationships
• Continued use despite financial, legal, or social problems

What factors increase the risk of addiction?

Various factors contribute to the risk of developing an addiction, including a family history of addiction, genetic vulnerability, and experiencing mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety.

Environmental influences such as peer pressure, lack of parental supervision, exposure to trauma or adverse childhood experiences, and living in poverty or high-stress environments also may contribute. Early use of substances, especially during adolescence, significantly increases vulnerability. 

What factors decrease the risk of addiction?

These include close family ties, involved parents, and supportive friends. 

Early mental health assistance, a stable home life, and an open discussion of substance risks are important. Good coping skills, self-regulation, and access to community support also decrease addiction risks, even with other risk factors present.

What are the types of addiction?

There are two main types of addiction:

Substance use addiction: includes nicotine, alcohol, and other drugs, including prescription medications, and illicit drugs.

Behavioral addiction involves compulsive engagement in non-substance-related behaviors, such as gambling, gaming, or internet use, that become difficult to control and lead to negative consequences.

Behavior addiction 

People develop behavioral addiction when they can’t stop repeating harmful non-drug activities, like gambling or gaming. 

Gambling

People with a gambling disorder struggle to quit betting, even when it causes financial or emotional harm. The brain becomes dependent on the thrill of risk-taking. 

Internet gaming disorder

Excessive gaming that overshadows daily responsibilities defines internet gaming disorder. Individuals struggling with addiction may feel anxious or angry when unable to play.

Compulsive eating

Binge eating without control, often triggered by stress, characterizes compulsive eating. It increases risks for physical and mental health issues.

Video game addiction

An unhealthy obsession with gaming that disrupts work, school, or relationships is video game addiction. It can lead to isolation and sleep issues.

Hypersexual disorder

Hypersexual disorder involves persistent, overwhelming sexual urges that damage relationships or daily life. It’s frequently linked to anxiety or trauma.

Exercise addiction

Compulsively exercising beyond healthy limits, despite injury or fatigue, signals exercise addiction. It often stems from body image concerns.

Food addiction

Uncontrollable cravings for junk food, despite negative health effects, define food addiction. The brain’s reward system reacts intensely to sugary or fatty foods.

What are the signs of behavioral addiction?

Signs of behavioral addiction include being unable to stop or control the activity, even when it causes problems in daily life or relationships.

People struggling with addiction may spend a lot of time thinking about or engaging in the behavior, feel intense urges or cravings, and need to do it more often to get the same satisfaction. 

Other signs are hiding the behavior, feeling guilt or shame afterward, using the activity to cope with stress, neglecting responsibilities, and becoming irritable or anxious when unable to engage in the behavior.

Substance use disorder 

People with addiction use substances as a coping mechanism. A chronic condition marked by compulsive substance use despite harm, it disrupts daily life and requires evidence-based treatment.

Alcohol

Chronic misuse damages the liver, brain, and heart, while impairing judgment and relationships. Alcohol use disorder involves compulsive drinking and severe withdrawal symptoms like tremors or seizures.

Caffeine

Overuse can cause dependence, with withdrawal symptoms like headaches and irritability. Though rarely severe, excessive intake disrupts sleep and worsens anxiety. 

Cannabis

Persistent use impairs memory, motivation, and social functioning, even when aware of risks. Cannabis use disorder may cause withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and insomnia. 

Hallucinogens

Use of substances like LSD or psilocybin can induce hallucinations, altered perception, and long-term psychological effects such as persistent psychosis or flashbacks.

Inhalants

Volatile chemicals (paint thinners, glue) cause rapid intoxication, organ damage, and sudden sniffing death syndrome due to cardiac arrhythmias.

Opioids

Highly addictive substances (heroin, prescription painkillers) trigger intense euphoria, tolerance, and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms like nausea and muscle pain.

Hypnotics, sedatives, and anxiolytics

Misuse of benzodiazepines causes dependence, with withdrawal symptoms such as seizures or anxiety rebound. Overdose risks rise when mixed with alcohol.

Stimulants

Use disorders involving cocaine or methamphetamine cause hyperactivity, paranoia, and heart damage. Withdrawal includes depression and fatigue. 

Tobacco (Nicotine)

Nicotine addiction results in cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, and increased appetite.

What are the signs of substance addiction?

Common signs of drug addiction are the following:

• Intense cravings and inability to stop using the substance.
• Larger amounts are needed to feel the same effect.
• Withdrawal symptoms like nausea, anxiety, or sweating occur when not using.
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home.
• Secretive behavior or lying about substance use.
• Loss of interest in hobbies, social activities, or relationships.
• Physical changes (weight loss, bloodshot eyes, poor hygiene).
• Mood swings, irritability, or unexplained behavior shifts.
• Risky behaviors (driving under the influence, unsafe use).
• Financial or legal problems due to substance use.

What are the causes of addiction?

Addiction is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, developmental, mental health, and neurobiological factors. No single cause explains why one person develops an addiction while another does not; instead, multiple risk factors interact to influence vulnerability. 

Genetic predisposition

People with a family history of addiction are more likely to develop substance use disorders themselves. Specific genes can affect how the brain responds to substances, increasing susceptibility. 

Environmental influences

Environmental factors such as peer pressure, unstable home life, exposure to trauma, and community attitudes toward substance use can increase the risk of addiction. Early exposure to alcohol and drugs, parental substance use, and lack of support systems also contribute.

Developmental factors

Early use during adolescence, when the brain is still developing, increases vulnerability to addiction. Childhood trauma, neglect, and poor academic achievement are additional developmental factors that raise risk. These factors can alter brain development and coping mechanisms.

Mental health conditions

Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, are closely linked to addiction. Individuals with untreated mental health issues may use substances to self-medicate, increasing the likelihood of addiction. 

Neurobiological factors

Addiction alters the brain’s reward system, particularly how it processes dopamine and pleasure. Repeated use of different types of substances changes brain chemistry, making individuals feel “normal” only when using the substance. Over time, the brain’s ability to experience pleasure without the substance is diminished.

What are the effects of addiction?

Addiction includes physical, mental, and social health effects. Physically, it increases the risk of diseases such as liver damage, heart disease, stroke, lung problems, and cancer, and can cause brain damage or even death from overdose. 

Mentally, addiction often leads to anxiety, depression, paranoia, and other mood disorders.

Socially, it can strain relationships, cause financial and legal problems, lead to job loss, and result in neglect of responsibilities and personal care. 

Physical effects of addiction

Substance use harms the body in both short-term and long-term ways, causing issues like nausea, trouble sleeping, and poor coordination.

Organ damage

Alcohol and drug addiction can overload the liver, kidneys, and lungs, leading to diseases like cirrhosis, kidney failure, and breathing problems. Repeated exposure to harmful substances makes it harder for these organs to function properly, often causing permanent harm.

Cardiovascular problems

Substance misuse strains the heart and blood vessels, raising the risk of irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.

Infectious diseases

Sharing needles or unsafe drug use increases the risk of infections like HIV and hepatitis. A weakened immune system from prolonged substance use also makes it harder for the body to fight off these illnesses effectively.

Chronic illnesses

Long-term addiction often leads to ongoing health problems such as liver disease, kidney damage, and lung conditions like COPD. 

Psychological effects of addiction

Addiction profoundly impacts mental health, often causing emotional numbness, guilt, shame, and low self-esteem. 

Mood disorders

Addiction can both stem from and worsen these conditions, creating a cycle of negative emotions, hopelessness, and emotional instability. Many people who struggle with addiction report persistent sadness, irritability, and difficulty experiencing pleasure.

Psychosis

Certain substances, especially when used heavily or over long periods, can trigger psychosis, characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of contact with reality. 

Cognitive impairment

Chronic addiction can lead to significant cognitive impairments, affecting memory, attention, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities. These changes result from alterations in brain structure and function due to prolonged substance exposure. 

Social impact of addiction

Addiction harms entire communities by increasing crime, overloading healthcare systems, and trapping people in poverty. It creates unfair challenges for vulnerable groups, making it harder for them to access help.

Strained family dynamics

Addiction often damages family trust, causes money problems, and leads to constant arguments. Loved ones may feel exhausted or accidentally make the problem worse by trying to help.

Social isolation

People with addiction might avoid friends and social events to hide their struggles, which increases loneliness. This isolation can make them rely even more on substances to cope.

Workplace issues

Addiction leads to missed work, lower productivity, and safety risks, risking jobs and teamwork. Employers face higher costs from accidents, staff turnover, and managing these issues.

Economic impact of addiction

Economic challenges drain resources that could support broader societal needs.

Financial instability

Addiction often leads to job loss, drained savings, and overwhelming debt. These financial struggles worsen as substance abuse continues and income declines.

Healthcare costs

Treating addiction-related emergencies, chronic conditions, and mental health issues creates heavy expenses. 

Legal consequences

Substance-related crimes like DUIs result in fines, legal bills, and even jail time. 

Community and societal effects of addiction

Increased healthcare burden

Addiction overloads healthcare systems with frequent emergencies and long-term treatments, leaving fewer resources for other health needs.

Spread of diseases

There is a chance of increased risky behaviors like needle-sharing, leading to more cases of HIV and hepatitis. These diseases strain healthcare systems further.

Productivity losses

The addict may face missed work, poor job performance, and job loss, hurting both workers and businesses. 

Social services strain

Addiction creates high demand for housing, rehab, and welfare programs, stretching budgets thin.

Criminal activities

Addiction drives theft, drug sales, and violence as people try to fund their habits. 

Community safety

Addiction leads to more dangerous driving and violence, making neighborhoods feel unsafe. This lowers everyone’s trust and quality of life.

How to treat addiction?

Addiction treatment involves evidence-based approaches combining medical care, behavioral therapies, and support systems tailored to individual needs. 

Medical Detoxification

Medically supervised detox safely manages withdrawal symptoms and clears substances from the body, often using medications to ease discomfort and prevent complications. It is the first step in treatment, but must be followed by comprehensive therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Behavioral therapies

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management, and motivational enhancement therapy help individuals modify harmful behaviors, build coping skills, and resist triggers. 

Medications

FDA-approved medications like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms for opioids and alcohol, while nicotine replacement aids tobacco addiction.

Support groups

Peer-led groups like Narcotics Anonymous provide community support, accountability, and shared strategies for maintaining sobriety. 

Lifestyle changes

Adopting healthy routines, stress management techniques, and engaging in constructive activities strengthens recovery and reduces relapse triggers. 

How does addiction impact brain structure and function over time?

Addiction alters the brain’s reward, decision-making, and stress systems. Over time, it weakens self-control, increases cravings, and makes quitting harder, even when the person wants to stop.

What role do family dynamics play in the development and treatment of addiction?

Supportive families reduce addiction risk and aid recovery, while conflict or substance use at home raises risk. In treatment, family involvement improves results by offering encouragement and accountability.

Are there any emerging treatments for addiction that show promise?

New treatments include brain-stimulation therapies, digital tools like recovery apps, and medications targeting cravings.

How does addiction affect children and adolescents differently from adults?

Teens’ developing brains are more vulnerable to addiction’s damage, leading to faster dependency and lifelong issues with learning, memory, and behavior.

How to help someone with an addiction

Approach them with kindness, encourage professional help, and offer practical support like finding treatment programs. Stay patient, educate yourself about addiction, and avoid enabling behaviors while showing consistent care.

How can Calmerry help with addiction? 

Calmerry helps with addiction by connecting you to licensed therapists who provide confidential, professional support through online messaging or video sessions. Our therapists use evidence-based approaches so you can overcome addiction, as well as co-occurring mental health issues. 

FAQ

What is addiction?

Addiction is a chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug use or engagement in certain behaviors despite harmful consequences, loss of control, and strong cravings.

What are the most common types of addiction?

The two types of addiction are substance use disorders (such as alcohol, opioids, stimulants, and tobacco) and behavioral addictions (such as gambling, internet gaming, and pornography).

What causes addiction?

Addiction develops from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, psychological, and neurobiological factors.

What are the early signs and symptoms of addiction?

Early signs include increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms when stopping use, inability to control use, neglect of responsibilities, cravings, and continuing use despite negative consequences. 

How does addiction affect mental and physical health?

Addiction can cause significant mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment, and physical health problems such as organ damage, weakened immune system, and increased risk of infectious diseases.

Can addiction be genetic?

Yes, a family history of addiction increases susceptibility due to genetic influences on brain chemistry and impulse control.

What are the treatment options for addiction?

Treatment options for addiction include detoxification, inpatient and outpatient treatment, behavioral therapies, medication-assisted treatment, support groups, and individualized treatment plans.

Is addiction a disease or a choice?

Addiction is widely recognized as a chronic brain disease, not simply a matter of choice. While initial substance use may be voluntary, repeated use alters brain function, leading to compulsive behavior and loss of control.

How can family and friends help someone with addiction?

Family and friends can support addiction recovery by encouraging treatment, offering emotional support, avoiding enabling behaviors, and educating themselves about addiction and recovery. 

Can addiction be fully cured, or is it a lifelong condition?

Addiction is generally considered a chronic, relapsing condition, but it can be managed successfully with ongoing treatment and support.