noun

addiction

uh-DIK-shuhn/əˈdɪkʃn/

Dependence on a substance or activity that is difficult to stop.

The repeated reach for another cigarette illustrates addiction.

Hand reaches for another cigarette beside a full ashtray.

Etymology

adLatinto

+dictLatinsay, declare; allot

+ionLatinaction or state

The pieces originally concerned declaring or allotting something to someone, hence delivering it over. Being “given over” to a habit developed from devotion or inclination into the stronger sense of compulsive dependence.

In context

Rich Roll4:19

I define addiction as the continued compulsive use of a drug or behavior despite harm to self and/or others.

10 POWERFUL Stories of Addiction (& Recovery) | Rich Roll Podcast

More examples

He sought help for an addiction to gambling.
The program supports people recovering from addiction.
She wrote about the difficulty of overcoming addiction.

Forms

addiction · addictions

addictive adjective — likely to cause compulsive dependence

Similar words

dependence: Can be physical or practical without compulsive behavior.
compulsion: An irresistible urge that need not involve a specific addiction.