addict

An addict is a person who has developed an addiction—a compulsive pattern of substance use or engagement in a behavior despite ongoing harm. In modern clinical language, the person is often described as a person with an addiction or a person with a substance use disorder, to emphasize the condition as a health issue rather than a trait.

Addictions include substance-related disorders (such as those involving alcohol, opioids, nicotine, cannabis, and stimulants) and behavioral addictions (for example gambling, gaming, sex, or internet use).

Diagnosis and terminology: The DSM-5 classificatory framework uses Substance Use Disorder, with severity defined as mild, moderate, or severe based on criteria a person meets. ICD-11 uses a similar but distinct framework. The everyday term “addiction” remains common, though clinicians increasingly prefer “substance use disorder” or “addiction” as appropriate.

Causes and risk factors: Addiction typically results from an interplay of genetic vulnerability, neurobiological changes in reward pathways, and environmental factors such as stress, trauma, and peer influences. Mental health disorders often co-occur. Protective factors include treatment access, social support, and stable routines.

Treatment and prognosis: Effective management is individualized and may include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioids or alcohol, nicotine replacement, or other pharmacotherapies; psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and contingency management; detoxification where needed; and long-term recovery support. Relapse can occur, but many people achieve remission with continuous care.

Social context: Addiction can carry stigma, affect employment and relationships, and lead to legal issues. Harm-reduction strategies, public health approaches, and peer support groups are common components of comprehensive care.