addiction

[ uh-dik-shuhn ]

noun

1. the state of being compulsively committed to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

addiction

/ ə-dĭk′shən /

1. A physical or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, such as a drug or alcohol. In physical addiction, the body adapts to the substance being used and gradually requires increased amounts to reproduce the effects originally produced by smaller doses.
2. See more at withdrawal
3. A habitual or compulsive involvement in an activity, such as gambling.

Sensitive Note

See addict.

Other Words From

• o·ver·ad·dic·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of addiction¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin addictiōn- (stem of addictiō ) “a giving over, surrender”; addict, -ion

Example Sentences

Many years later, in graduate school, when I first read “Sonny’s Blues,” a short story originally published in 1957 by James Baldwin about family and addiction, I would think back to this painting, in this house, and how its beauty halted me in my tracks, how it dared me to pause and consider my place in the wide world.

From Los Angeles Times

But Brown continued to struggle with his mental health and drug addiction, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

He has struggled with addiction and like many other IPP prisoners who have lost hope, his mental health is a constant worry for his family.

From BBC

Jordan Stephens has revealed how a drug addiction contributed towards the break-up of hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks.

From BBC

She repeats all of Elisabeth’s mistakes because she can’t shake the addiction to fame.

From Los Angeles Times