addiction

[uh-dik-shuhn]

noun

1. the state of being compulsively committed to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

addiction

1. A physical or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, such as a drug or alcohol. In physical addiction, the body adapts to the substance being used and gradually requires increased amounts to reproduce the effects originally produced by smaller doses.

2. See more at withdrawal

3. A habitual or compulsive involvement in an activity, such as gambling.

Sensitive Note

See addict.

Other Word Forms

• overaddiction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of addiction¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin addictiōn- (stem of addictiō ) “a giving over, surrender”; addict, -ion

Example Sentences

Journavx, the first of a new class of non-opioid pain medications that the agency has approved in two decades, could reduce opioid addictions and chronic pain.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Princess of Wales has called for an end to the "stigma" surrounding addiction, and urged people to offer "empathy and support" to those dependent on alcohol, drugs or gambling.

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In our testing, it helped break our addiction to the endless scroll, and transformed our phones from sources of anxiety to tools for productivity.

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She has to go to some dark places, channeling Claire’s depression, addiction to painkillers and more — but despite her penchant for playing more carefree women, Hudson says she wasn’t intimidated by the role’s meatier aspects.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Nine years after imposing a statewide alcohol ban to curb addiction, domestic violence, and financial ruin among its poorest families, Bihar - India's poorest state - still struggles to gauge the policy's effectiveness.

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