Addictions are most commonly associated with drugs but can also broadly refer to engagement in any compulsive behavior resulting in possible harm. While addiction to drugs is the most common manifestation, addictions can also be associated with a range of activities including gambling, compulsive sex, videogames, or internet use.

The key feature of addictions is that engagement in a particular behaviour is compulsive and brings about a desired change in consciousness, yet proves problematic in the long term. Drugs, for example, have the most powerful effects, bringing about obvious physical, physiological or psychological changes in the body.

Generally drugs are classified in three major categories as follows:

Depressants slow the functions of the central nervous system and affect concentration and coordination. Examples of depressants include legal substances such as alcohol or illicit ones such as cannabis, opiods (eg heroin, methadone)

Stimulants speed up bodily functions and can induce euphoria, energy and alertness. Legal stimulants include caffeine, nicotine and ephedrine while illicit stimulants include amphetamines such as ‘ice’ or ‘speed’, cocaine and MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine or ‘ecstasy’).

Hallucinogens distort perceptions of reality with unpredictable and sometimes dangerous consequences. Hallucinogens include cannabis, ketamine, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), ‘magic mushrooms’ (psilocybin), mescaline (peyote) and PCP (phencyclidine).

While there are varying degrees of use of illicit drugs, problems arise when the harms associated with use begin to outweigh the rewards. If regular drug use is likely to place you at odds with the law; or if continued use is beginning to affect your general health, your moods, the quality of your work and your relationships with others, then the overall quality of life is at risk and professional treatment and support may prove necessary.

What Is Addiction?

People with an addiction do not have control over what they are doing, taking or using. Their addiction may reach a point at which it is harmful. Addictions do not only include physical things we consume, such as drugs or alcohol, but may include virtually anything, such abstract things as gambling to seemingly harmless products, such as chocolate – in other words, addiction may refer to a substance dependence (e.g. drug addiction) or behavioral addiction (e.g. gambling addiction).

When a person is addicted to something they cannot control how they use it, and become dependent on it to cope with daily life.

A habit may eventually develop into an addiction Many of us can use substances or become engaged in activities without any significant problems. Some people, however, may experience damaging psychological and/or physical effects when their habit becomes an addiction.