Addiction is a much broader topic than dependence on alcohol or drugs.
There are process addictions in in addition to addiction to illegal drugs or alcohol. Some compulsive behaviors have been viewed as an addictions such as gambling, shopping, and disordered eating. When a person is actively using or engaging in destructive behavior they hurt themselves and others. Questions arise. What actually is addiction? How does it start in when? When does a pattern of behavior cross the line into addiction?
It is hard to understand, but none the less it is a fact that while many people can engage in behavior or use drugs and alcohol with no difficulties, addicts simply cannot. Victims of addiction have lost the ability to control or stop their user behaviors. Who you are or your social standing does not matter when it comes to addiction.
All addicts are not alike. There is no universal type. Although there have been many studies on addiction scientists and researchers cannot agree on you the cure or cause. The part of addiction and that is the most difficult to quantify and evaluate is the emotional part of it. A lot of people believe they can gain relief from uncomfortable emotions by engaging in their addiction. It is strange that the more one engages in addiction the worse the effects and the greater the need to soothe the negative effects.
While addiction manifests itself in different people in different ways, here are the most common signs and symptoms of addiction:
Symptom 1 - Unable to meet responsibilities of relationships or at home, school or work.
Symptom 2 - Compulsive preoccupation, meaning one spends a great deal of time thinking about the substance or behavior
Symptom 3 - Has tried but failed to stop using the substance or end the behavior. Loss of control occurs.
Symptom 4 - Engages in the behavior or substance use knowing it is dangerous or in dangerous situations such as driving.
Symptom 5 - Because of the addiction, one stops activities or hobbies that were fun or enjoyable.
Symptom 6 - There is a need to increase the amount and frequency of the behavior or substance to achieve the desired felling or affect.
Symptom 7 - Ones life has become centered around the addiction, isolation from others occurs.
Get some help if any of those danger signals are occurring. Everyone agrees that addiction is a progressive disease. Left untreated, it will get worse.
There is more information available here on addiction treatment.