Have you ever tried to read about a definition of addiction in medical texts? You will not find an easily understood definition of addiction in those doorstoppers.  Addiction is a complex topic with many facets; however, as someone new to the topic of addiction,

Outlining a simple definition of addiction will make the topic much more accessible and useful. The term addiction can conjure up an unlimited range of opinions, emotions and reactions. Clearly defining addiction provides a solid foundation for additional learning. In the last several decades, the stigma of having an addiction has significantly reduced. The term is also used in jest sometimes to describe something that people like and do frequently.

As a result there are a lot of  hidden truths and confusion surrounding the topic of addiction. The definition, causes, and approaches to recovery continue to change and evolve. This can be confusing and difficult to navigate, especially for those who are new to learning about the topic. With the birth of the internet, has come an abundance of information and knowledge sharing. On the surface, this is not a terrible thing; however, it can lead to information overload and analysis paralysis. The discipline and resilience to remain sober is not to be taken lightly.

In this short article, I hope to provide a definition to work from and pointers to additional material that you will find helpful if you want to learn more about addiction and recovery. I like to keep the definition of addiction simple and easy to measure.

Definition 

A psychological definition of addiction:  Addiction is a state of psychological or physical dependence (or both) on the use of alcohol or other drugs. The term is often used as an equivalent term for substance dependence and is sometimes applied to behavioral disorders, such as sexual, internet, and gambling addictions.

This is a nice clinical definition of addiction but does not help the individual identify if they may have an addiction. I prefer a much simpler definition that one can measure their current situation against.

My definition: Any activity one uses to escape from reality that creates ongoing unacceptable negative consequences for one’s real life.

Many have heard of the mainstream forms of addiction: alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, and sex.

 In my definition of addiction, I believe almost any activity can be addictive. Some are trickier than others. For example, food and work addictions. One must eat and one must work, right? Yes. So, the key is not to stop eating or working but to identify how your behavior around these activities is causing unacceptable negative consequences in your life.

An Example 

Let us go ahead with a less tricky example, say gardening. I understand this may be the most ridiculous thing you have heard but please bear with me. Many would conclude that gardening could not generate unacceptable negative consequences. 

A few might be:  

• Spending so much time gardening that basic needs are not being met such as eating, personal hygiene, feeding the kids, maintaining relationships, or paying bills may be examples.  

• Spending money on gardening (plants, tools, fertilizers) beyond what one can afford. Money slated for rent, food, utilities, etc. is spent in the pursuit of gardening.  

• Taking excessive amounts of time off work or lying and calling in sick so one can garden all day.  

Breaking It Down: 

There is no denying that gardening has many benefits. It can feed your family, relax your mind and add beauty to the world. However, addiction is still an addiction.  The definition is focused on the behavior surrounding the activity not the activity itself.

One might say “I would rather be addicted to gardening than drugs.” It is not productive to compare addictions. Any addiction taken to extremes can significantly impact one’s life. The point is to look at the behavior and the consequences. If the two together are wreaking havoc on a person’s life or that of their loved ones, it may be time to at least acknowledge there may be a problem.  

Next Steps:  

I have no interest in convincing you that a certain path and set of actions are required to recover from addiction. I just want to reiterate that  exercising the discipline and resilience to reman sober is a formidable task. There are many different approaches once you have decided to stop the addictive behavior. Even if you decide you only want to stop for the next hour, there are ways to act on that decision. Hopefully, this article has helped uncover some hidden truths and I encourage you to read the other articles in this category for a more comprehensive understanding.

Resources:

Home Page – Alcoholics Anonymous

Home Page – Narcotics Anonymous

Home Page – National Institute on Drug Addiction

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