Addiction is a complex disease. Physiological, genetic, psychosocial, nutritional and environmental factors are often thought to lead to the development of this disorder, and need to be addressed in recovery. It causes a person to act in a pattern of unhealthy, compulsive behavior which they carry out uncontrollably around the chronic use of a certain substance or stimulus such as alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling or cigarettes.

It almost always features a level of psychological dependence, and often physical dependence as well. In general, an addict:

• suffers a persistent need to use
  
• fails at every effort to cut down, or stop, using on his own
  
• keeps using despite negative experiences and dangerous situations
  
• uses to cope with everyday life
  
• needs to use to feel "normal"
  
• is often preoccupied with obtaining and using the drug(s) of choice

Every addict exhibits behavior similar to this. However, the specific signs and symptoms for each addiction differ. For singular descriptions, please refer to the appropriate page on our website.

Addiction is not:

• A moral issue
  
• A simple character defect, such as being weak, or selfish, or irresponsible
  
• A lack of will power
  

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