Addiction

Definition of Addiction

"Addiction" can have several definitions depending on the situation and the setting. My sister is addicted to exercising because she does it constantly. Smokers are addicted to cigarettes because they crave them and feel like they can't function without them. My grandfather is addicted to hunting because it is expensive, time-consuming, and he's just doing it to seek pleasure. My grandmother hates hunting because it consumes up so much of grandfather's time that he could be spending with her.

Anything that takes your mind off of other things, that you feel like you have to do, because it will make you feel good, and that you can't get enough of is considered an addiction.

Many people think that an addiction has to be drug related or to something that contains an addictive substance in it like nicotine. This is one type of addiction, but there are many different kinds. My boyfriend dips "Skoal" and he is highly addicted to it. When he withdraws from it and tries to quit, he gets headaches and he's moody! These are a few symptoms of a drug related addiction. There are other minor types of addictions where you crave or want something badly and you have a habit of satisfying these cravings. For example: I am addicted to ice cream and feel like I have to have a bowl of it every night before I go to sleep. It's all in my imagination! You can be physically addicted to something (like nicotine) or you can be mentally addicted to something (like ice cream).

Addictions are usually always a bad thing and can damage lives. For example: when you feel you need the addicting substance it can cause you to focus only on your addiction. Addictions cause you to lose focus on the important aspects of life like family, work, and religion. Addictions are not a "normal" aspect of life and should be avoided whenever possible.