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AddictionAddiction is a disorder characterized by a pattern of persistent behavior that continues despite growing negative consequences. While often discussed in the context of drugs or alcohol, addiction can involve any substance or behavior that creates rewarding effects for an individual.
What makes addiction particularly complex is that it represents more than just physical dependence or tolerance to a substance. Rather, it is characterized by continuing the behavior even as it causes psychological distress, social conflict, or physical harm.
This pattern affects approximately 15% of the US population through substance use disorders alone. Alcohol is by far the most common addiction (see top ten), followed by nicotine and marijuana.Explore Addiction
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Some experts equate prediction markets to the new crack cocaine of gambling addictionAn addiction psychiatrist at UCLA says betting apps are far more potent than traditional gambling, citing a 19-year-old patient who lost $180,000 and hadn't left campus in a year, cycling through sports bets, crypto, meme stocks, and prediction markets on his phone. This interview explores the extreme edge of the nascent industry. NautilusGLP-1 drugs are under investigation for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and drug addictionResearchers are investigating GLP-1 applications for a variety of chronic conditions. One area of interest stems from how study participants using GLP-1 for diabetes and obesity reported describing less longing for wine and cigarettes while taking the medication—intriguing researchers about using the drugs for addiction applications. The drug, they theorize, could bind to receptors that mediate desire. (Some users may experience a paywall.) Science'The opposite of addiction isn't sobriety—it's human connection'This thought-provoking TED talk from journalist Johann Hari challenges conventional wisdom about addiction, with a special focus on his global research investigating its root causes. Through personal stories and scientific evidence, Hari debunks some of the most common myths around addiction. TEDAn animated short film portraying the arc of addictionThis simple yet profound award-winning animated short film uses the metaphor of a bird discovering golden nuggets to explore how addiction develops, with a special focus on the progressive nature of substance dependency. The film went viral, amassing nearly 30 million views by 2024. Filmbilder & FriendsSocial support plays a critical role in recovery from addictionThis engaging TEDx talk from addiction researcher Jacki Hillios explores addiction recovery through a transformative lens and Phoenix Multisport—an innovative program helping people rebuild their lives through active lifestyles. By living out its core message that people are not defined by their disease, the program demonstrates the power of social support in recovery. TEDx TalksThe science of addiction treatmentA helpful resource from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (part of the NIH). This article examines addiction treatment and recovery through the science behind several accepted methods. The guide draws helpful comparisons with other chronic disease treatments. In particular, it discusses the overlap between medications and therapeutic treatments, and the understanding that relapse doesn’t indicate treatment failure—only a need for continued or modified care. National Institutes of HealthAddiction develops when the pleasure circuits in the brain get overwhelmedNormal pleasure circuits become overwhelmed by addictive substances, triggering dopamine floods many times stronger than those induced by everyday reward experiences. The understanding of addiction as a brain disease has led to treatments pairing medication and counseling. Yale MedicineAlcohol use disorder is the most common addiction in the US This comprehensive overview from the Addiction Center uses recent data from SAMHSA’s National Survey to examine the 10 most common substance dependencies in the United States. It ranks addictions from alcohol (affecting 28.3 million Americans) to barbiturates, while highlighting key trends, risks, and societal impacts. Addiction Center'Susan's Brain': what happens to the brain during addictionThis engaging animation from Harvard Online breaks down the neuroscience of addiction through the story of “Susan’s brain,” demonstrating how addictive substances hijack normal reward pathways. Through clear visual metaphors and approachable narration, it explains complex brain chemistry in understandable terms. Harvard OnlineAddiction is defined as chronic compulsive drug use despite adverse consequencesThis resource from the National Institute on Drug Abuse provides a comprehensive look at addiction as a complex brain disorder. It explores why people initially take addictive substances and how continued use alters the brain’s reward system. National Institutes of HealthDBS effectiveness in treating addiction remains uncertain amid inconsistent resultsCritics argue that deep brain stimulation should be considered a last resort and not a scalable solution, given its high costs and trials limited to small samples. However, it has helped some patients manage severe opioid use disorder when conventional methods didn’t work. Undark MagazineCan the gut microbiome drive addiction?New research suggests an imbalance of gut microorganisms may influence the likelihood of addiction and addictive behaviors by increasing the severity of withdrawal symptoms, triggering brain inflammation in regions of impulse control, and more. NatureThe Ninth Amendment clarifies that people hold additional rights, not granted by the ConstitutionThe Founders worried that listing specific rights might imply that others didn't exist. The Ninth clarifies that unenumerated rights are retained by the people, making it one of the most philosophical and least litigated amendments. National Constitution CenterPrince's 'Sign O' the Times' was considered a major artistic milestoneThe double album was an ambitious collection of songs that traversed musical styles—drawing on the emerging hip-hop records of the genre's golden age and technological experimentation—and explored social issues, including the AIDS epidemic, addiction, and violence. It would go on to be one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year and eventually be considered one of the most important in pop music history. The New York TimesThere may be 500,000 additional malaria deaths by 2050Research published in the journal Nature in January 2026 estimates that by 2050, climate change may trigger more than half a million additional malaria deaths and over 100 million additional malaria cases. The work is based on climate change projections and available disease information and did not incorporate new vaccine uptake. Malaria Atlas ProjectLiza Minnelli debuted her signature pixie cut in the mid-1960s, transforming her into a style iconIn addition to her performances, Minnelli is known for her glitzy outfits and short black haircut. After starting out with a more conventional look, her style evolved into something more extravagant, mirroring the boldness of her performance and public persona. W MagazineThe lives of Liza Minnelli and her mother, Judy Garland, have many striking similaritiesBoth performers charmed audiences with their immense talent, particularly their singing and acting. They also shared struggles, as both battled with addiction, experienced multiple divorces, and dealt with public criticism. Both are also beloved icons of the gay community, with Garland even earning an informal title as the "Elvis of Homosexuals." BiographyThe drink that became Coca-Cola was originally called 'Pemberton's French Wine Coca'When Civil War veteran John Pemberton concocted the drink, he was suffering from both a saber wound and a morphine addiction. He formulated Pemberton's French Wine Coca by copying the popular cocaine-infused Vin Mariani wine that Popes and Presidents drank at the time. This podcast episode details Coca-Cola's origin story, as well as the financial and business strategies it used to get to where it is today. AcquiredOwning a home can help build wealth via tax benefits and moreIn addition to tax benefits and the potential to build equity in your home, houses are also typically considered an appreciating asset. That means their value is likely to increase over time. RedfinDogs smell a lot of stuff we can't, including bed bugs and chemicals in electronic devicesIn addition to identifying medical smells and tiny insects like bed bugs, dogs can also detect electronic storage devices. These tools often contain triphenylphosphine oxide, a chemical used to prevent overheating. Reader's DigestUS westward expansion—and the status of slavery in the new territories—was a major cause of the American Civil WarThe addition of new western lands forced the nation to confront whether slavery would spread beyond the South. Each debate over the admission of a new state sharpened the divide between free and slaveholding regions. US History Scene3 US maps illustrate transplants, donors, and organ waitlist additions—by stateNational UNOS tracking data feeds into these US maps that record all the transplants, donors, and waitlist additions in the last 12 months. California, for example, had the most transplantations in 2025—totaling about 5,200—but it also has the longest waiting list, with more than 20,000 additions in that same period. United Network for Organ SharingSports betting is regulated by the SEC, but 'prediction markets' for sports are notSites like Polymarket and Kalshi allow users to make bets on sports outcomes, though their positioning (as prediction markets, not originally intended for retail investors) helps them avoid the scrutiny of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Instead, they under the supervision of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Some worry that the lack of oversight has encouraged insider trading, putting everyday users at a severe disadvantage and potentially corrupting the integrity of professional sports. Citation NeededThe simple melody in 'Auld Lang Syne' has led to the song’s repurposingIn addition to becoming a standard tune to ring in the new year, the song has been reworked as a Dutch soccer anthem, a Japanese standard, and the South Korean national anthem. A significant part of its widespread use is that it has no copyright limitations. It helps, too, that it's simple melody is easy for even the most amateur singers to tackle. VoxIn 1988, Basquiat died from a heroin overdoseBasquiat’s fame took a toll on the young artist. He felt pigeonholed and caricatured as a Black artist. He used heroin to cope with the pressure, but his addiction grew worse after the death of his mentor, Andy Warhol. He overdosed in 1988, after attempts to get clean. HistoryThe solar noon clock outside Rhodes Hall at Cornell is named after Bill NyeIn addition to displaying the analog time, the clock's face features an indicator disc that illuminates, even on cloudy days, whenever the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. Nye developed the initial apparatus designs, which were later co-engineered and built by Cornell staff and students. CornelliansIn 1999, Microsoft and Intel’s addition signaled the information tech era for the DowMicrosoft and Intel became the first information technology firms added to the DJIA. Their inclusion marked a turning point—the digital revolution and tech began to drive the American economy. BBC NewsPicasso was also a poetIn addition to his painting, Picasso wrote poetry, including several works that were published by his friend André Breton, founder of the surrealist movement, who described reading the poems as “being in the presence of an intimate journal, both of the feelings and of the senses, such as has never been kept before.” Artnet NewsAddictive drugs can cause dopamine levels to become ten times higher than normalNow recognized as a physiological brain disease, addiction rewires the brain's reward system to make drugs feel necessary and weaken self-control by dulling the relative effects of natural rewards like food and social connection. Yale MedicineY Combinator cofounder Paul Graham keeps a public archive of his insightful essaysIn addition to cofounding Y Combinator and other companies before it, Paul Graham is a prolific writer and artist. He chronicled many of his thoughts while building Y Combinator in a series of dozens of candid essays, all of which you can read in an online archive. Paul GrahamFantasy sports can have adverse health effects Experts warn that fantasy sports, including fantasy football, can encourage obsessive use because they offer hits of dopamine. Daily fantasy games, which function more like gambling, are especially problematic. www.heart.orgPsychedelics interact with neurotransmitter systems to alter one's perceptionLSD, psilocybin, and MDMA can suppress the brain's default mode network and enhance connectivity. Research shows that, when paired with therapy, psychedelics may help treat mental health conditions, including depression, addiction, and PTSD. TED-EdAre we addicted to chaos?Chaos seems like something we would avoid, but psychologists think there are neurochemical rewards to a chaotic state in life. Cultural norms around productivity also can make stressful conditions the default experience, providing the basis for chaos and an incentive structure supporting it. The Psychology of Your 20sJames Frey's 'A Million Little Pieces' was marketed as memoir but revealed as fictionThe addiction book became a huge success after being added to Oprah Winfrey's book club. After it was revealed to be fiction in 2005, Oprah invited Frey on her show and criticized him for deceiving her and his readers. ssenseWas Shakespeare stoned when he wrote 'Hamlet'?
Forensic scientists uncovered cannabis residue on fragments of a clay pipe in Shakespeare's backyard, suggesting the Bard possibly partook of the herb. They also found trace amounts of other mind-altering substances like coca leaves and hallucinogenic nutmeg compounds nearby. Literary HubIn addition to collecting taxes, issuing tax refunds, and performing audits, the IRS is tasked with enforcing the laws listed in the Internal Revenue CodeThe Internal Revenue Code is also known as Title 26 of the US Code. It was enacted in 1925 and outlines income, estate, sales, payroll, and excise tax laws. InvestopediaTrauma is a primary risk factor for substance use disorder later in lifeStudies indicate 75% of people with substance use disorder have experienced at least one traumatic experience in their life. These experiences alter brain function, leading to heightened stress and emotional pain. Substances offer temporary relief, but this often results in dependency. 1440Coffee is, indeed, addictiveCaffeine enters the brain through the bloodstream, where it blocks receptors that cause us to feel tired and enables stimulants like dopamine to increase alertness and focus. Over time, the brain begins to expect this level of stimulation, and caffeine addiction can develop. Caffeine withdrawal causes headaches, irritability, and fatigue. Smithsonian MagazineIs workaholism real?Though work addiction is not officially recognized as a medical condition, it mirrors many patterns of other behavioral disorders. This exploration from BBC News examines the issue through Workaholics Anonymous, with a special focus on firsthand accounts from support group members. BBC NewsThe National Institute on Drug Abuse's resource libraryThe National Institute on Drug Abuse website is an in-depth and highly prolific resource on addiction science. Explore the vast scope of this website to access comprehensive guides, data visualizations, and educational materials on all facets of addiction and its treatment. National Institutes of HealthChronic drug use can cause neurological changes in the brainNeuroscientist Judy Grisel breaks down the biology of addiction, examining how drugs hijack the brain’s natural reward system and create lasting neural changes. The physiological and neurological impacts of chronic drug use require a multifaceted treatment approach. TED-EdIn addition to his plays, Shakespeare wrote nearly 200 poemsBeyond his famous plays, Shakespeare penned 154 sonnets, including the well-known romantic ode “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” He also wrote two long poems as well as several minor pieces. Shakespeare Birthplace TrustTaylor Swift influenced record labels to change the way they write contractsIn addition to being a successful songwriter, Taylor Swift is a change-maker in the music industry. She asserted creative control over her music, re-recording her earlier albums after she lost the rights to them, and sparked a vinyl revolution in a digital age. BillboardTikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew on its futureTikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew dives into how the trendsetting video app and cultural phenomenon works, from what distinguishes its algorithm and drives viral videos, to the challenges of content moderation and digital addiction in this wide-ranging conversation with the head of TED, Chris Anderson. TED TalksNBA referee Tim Donaghy was paid roughly $300K to fix gamesDonaghy said he struggled with a gambling addiction, causing him to risk so much. In this interview, he explains the story of his scandal, and how the mob led to his eventual arrest. 60 MinutesWhy are drug dealers putting fentanyl in everything?A few grains of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far more potent than heroin or morphine, are enough to kill a typical adult human. It's made its way into other, less lethal street drugs, where it may be used to increase the highs experienced by unknowing users, increasing their likelihood of addiction and overdose. Search EngineHow to avoid a 'bad trip'Michael Pollan, author of "This Is Your Mind On Plants," answers the internet's burning questions about psychedelics. How does LSD work? What is ego death? How are psychedelics used for addiction therapy? Why are psychedelics so frowned upon? Michael answers all these questions and much more. WIREDMeet Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space In addition to being the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin was a charismatic propaganda icon and a diplomatic headache for the West. This article examines why his image—and legacy—endured long after he died in 1968. BBC NewsOpioids mimic naturally produced endorphins to dull painOnce in the body, opioids bind to naturally occurring opioid receptors typically used by endorphins to temper pain. They trigger the release of dopamine, a desire-related hormone, and decrease noradrenaline, a neurotransmitter involved in heart and breathing rate regulation, meaning high doses can slow these processes to dangerous levels. TED-EdSee how the concept of verification and addition to the blockchain works in real time. Every transaction made via bitcoin is recorded on its blockchain—the decentralized, distributed ledger that provides a permanent and transparent record of the currency's entire history. While that may sound abstract, the technology allows anyone to monitor and confirm each of the transactions. Blockchain.com
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