Addiction
Overview
Addiction is a disorder characterized by a pattern of persistent behavior that continues despite growing negative consequences. While addiction is often discussed in the context of drugs or alcohol, addiction can also involve behaviors that create problematic dependencies for an individual, such as gambling.
What makes addiction particularly complex is that it represents more than just physical dependence or tolerance to a substance. Rather, it is characterized by continued engagement in something 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. In 2023 alone, there were more than 105,000 drug overdose deaths in the US, and over 72,000 involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Alcohol is by far the most common addiction in the US, followed by nicotine and marijuana.
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