Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.
When life beats us down in every possible way and no ray of hope can be seen, we often go down the path of addiction. We might also adopt this toxic habit from our environment or due to peer pressure.
Addiction doesn’t always mean alcohol or drugs.
It can be dependence on physical relationships, gambling, food, or any other self-destructive obsession that takes away the reins of life from our hands.
Different types
List of Addictions to Substances
Substance use disorders in the 5 provide a list of addictions relating to the following substances:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Opioids (like heroin)
- Prescription drugs (sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics like sleeping pills and tranquilisers)
- Cocaine
- Cannabis (marijuana)
- Amphetamines (like methamphetamines, known as meth)
- Hallucinogens
- Inhalants
- Phencyclidine (known as PCP or Angel-dust)
- Other unspecified substances
List of Impulse Control Disorders
The DSM-5 lists disorders where impulses cannot be resisted, which could be considered a type of addiction. The following is a list of the recognised impulse control disorders:
- Intermittent explosive disorder (compulsive aggressive and assaultive acts)
- Kleptomania (compulsive stealing)
- Pyromania (compulsive setting of fires)
- Gambling
List of Addictions – Behavioural
It has been suggested one of the types of addictions is behavioural addiction. The following is a list of behaviours that have been noted to be addictive:
- Food (eating)
- Sex
- Pornography (attaining, viewing)
- Using computers / the internet
- Playing video games
- Working
- Exercising
- Spiritual obsession (as opposed to religious devotion)
- Pain (seeking)
- Cutting
- Shopping
