Definition of addiction Addiction

/ʌdɪˈkʃʌn/ - [udikshun] - ad•dic•tion

We found 11 definitions of addiction from 6 different sources.

What does addiction mean?

Noun Plural: addictions
addiction - being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)
		dependence, dependance, dependency, habituation
		physical condition, physiological condition, physiological state the condition or state of the body or bodily functions
		narcotic a drug that produces numbness or stupor; often taken for pleasure or to reduce pain; extensive use can lead to addiction
addiction - (Roman law) a formal award by a magistrate of a thing or person to another person (as the award of a debtor to his creditor); a surrender to a master; "under Roman law addiction was the justification for slavery"
		awarding, award a grant made by a law court; "he criticized the awarding of compensation by the court"
		jus civile, justinian code, roman law, civil law the legal code of ancient Rome; codified under Justinian; the basis for many modern systems of civil law
addiction - an abnormally strong craving

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addiction (Noun)
The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination.
addiction (Noun)
A habit or practice that damages, jeopardizes or shortens one's life but when ceased causes trauma.
addiction (Noun)
A pathological relationship to mood altering experience that has life damaging consequences.

addiction
A compulsive or chronic need.
addiction
A dependence on a habit-forming substance such as a drug or alcohol.

Addiction is when the body or mind badly wants or needs something in order to work right. When you have addiction to something it is called being "addicted" or being an "addict". People can be addicted to drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, and many other things.

When somebody is addicted to something, they can become sick if they do not get the thing they are addicted to. But taking more of the thing they are addicted to can also hurt their health. Some people who are addicts need to go to a doctor or hospital to cure the addiction, so they no longer crave (want or need) the drug.

People can also be addicted to other things which are not drugs. You may hear people talk about being "addicted to the Internet" or "addicted to chocolate."