Does ANYONE have a valid definition of “addiction”?

[Soldier Blue]

Interesting post this KulrMeStoopid - unlike an earlier post that likened it to being 'black' (which of course is ridiculous as that is something you cannot change) I believe that one word alone cannot define someone's compulsion for nicotine or whatever else is the addictive item. I believe addiction should also be linked to the words will power, need, want and volume.

There are some that would say there are those on this site that are addicted to nicotine because we all chose to vape but that depends on will power, need, want and volume. For example if I really wanted or needed to I could stop vaping, however I don't want to. If I lost my income stream and could only afford to pay the bills or vape then I'd stop vaping and pay the bills. If I lost a part of my income then I would simply reduce the volume of vaping (and therefore the cost).

There are those who's will power is not as strong and if their income stream was lost they would continue to vape and as a consequence not pay their bills. I think the greater the physical cost of the item, the more impact it would have. For example gambling would cost me greater than vaping and I would therefore have to 'want' to stop much more than I would 'need' to stop vaping.

So I think that the word addiction, is linked to so many more things. I believe my wife is addicted to watching soaps on TV but as the impact of this addiction has little bearing on those around her then it's not as much of a problem as if I were addicted to gambling or drinking.

In short, there are those that have a great deal of will power and sadly there are those that have little.

 

[Nasty Boy]

Addiction is the continued repetition of a behavior despite adverse consequences, or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors.


Addictions can include, but are not limited to, drug abuse, exercise addiction, food addiction, sexual addiction, computer addiction and gambling. Classic hallmarks of addiction include impaired control over substances or behavior, preoccupation with substance or behavior, continued use despite consequences, and denial. Habits and patterns associated with addiction are typically characterized by immediate gratification (short-term reward), coupled with delayed deleterious effects (long-term costs)

 

[anthonyb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS_x3eXBbdE&feature=player_embedded

 

[anthonyb]

This one's a corker if you have not seen it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=v0TeUNZkyUg

 

[Missuslovett]

Addiction is the continued repetition of a behavior despite adverse consequences, or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors.


Addictions can include, but are not limited to, drug abuse, exercise addiction, food addiction, sexual addiction, computer addiction and gambling. Classic hallmarks of addiction include impaired control over substances or behavior, preoccupation with substance or behavior, continued use despite consequences, and denial. Habits and patterns associated with addiction are typically characterized by immediate gratification (short-term reward), coupled with delayed deleterious effects (long-term costs)

How does one define adverse consequences? Losing a job? Financial ruin? Self harm? In which case there is no such thing as nicotine addiction.

 

[Tubbyengineer]

Strawberry Mojito E-Juice is proof of the existence of god...
A man with a sense of humour...

 

[Tubbyengineer]

How does one define adverse consequences? Losing a job? Financial ruin? Self harm? In which case there is no such thing as nicotine addiction.

Thats rather the point, Smoking addiction - yes you keep doing it despite the health risks etc. Nicotine, no real harm so not an addiction but a dependency...

 

[Missuslovett]

Thats rather the point, Smoking addiction - yes you keep doing it despite the health risks etc. Nicotine, no real harm so not an addiction but a dependency...

But if you keep doing something despite the risk, surely that definition would take in things like, say, base jumping or white water rafting, or even jay walking? You might carry on doing things like that for the rush, apparently regardless of the consequences without being said to be addicted. If addiction can be said to lead to 'adverse' consequences and yet as a smoker you live to be 90, were you still an addict, in the strictest sense? Or is a definition of addiction merely risk perception, from a moral high horse?

Dependency, as you say, is a different thing...

 

[saewulfe]

Definition of ADDICTION

: compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful—compare habituation

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Planet of the Vapes mobile app

 

[Tubbyengineer]

But if you keep doing something despite the risk, surely that definition would take in things like, say, base jumping or white water rafting, or even jay walking? You might carry on doing things like that for the rush, apparently regardless of the consequences without being said to be addicted. If addiction can be said to lead to 'adverse' consequences and yet as a smoker you live to be 90, were you still an addict, in the strictest sense? Or is a definition of addiction merely risk perception, from a moral high horse?


Dependency, as you say, is a different thing...

No you can be addicted to base jumping or jay walking - You dont have to be dependent on something to be addicted and you dont have to be addicted to be dependent