Addiction is a psychological and/or physical inability to stop or disengage from harmful behavior. This includes behaviors such as: consuming a chemical or drug, inappropriate activity, or other abuses, even though this may cause psychological and physical damage. The term addiction does not only refer to dependence on illegal substances. A person who continues a particular drug or engaging in detrimental activity is described as having a dependence.
Another form of addiction involves an inability to stop engaging in detrimental activities. This includes gambling, over-eating, or excessive working. In these instances, a person would be described as having a behavioral addiction.
Addiction can also be described as a chronic disease. This sometimes begins with taking a prescribed medication, and then results in a dependence on that same medication. Currently in the United States there is an overuse of prescribed opioid painkillers. This has been found to cause an average of up to 115 deaths daily in the United States.
When a person develops an addiction, they are not able to control the use of a substance, or to stop an activity. They have become dependent on the activity or substance to cope with life.
Every year, addiction to alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription opioids costs the United States economy approximately $740 billion in treatment and rehabilitation. This also would include time lost from work, and possible criminal behavior. Most people begin using drugs voluntarily. However, with some people, the drug or behavior takes over, and addiction is the result.