addiction
C1Neutral to formal. Widely used in academic, medical, journalistic, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The state of being physically or mentally dependent on a particular substance or activity, with an inability to stop despite harmful consequences.
An unusually strong interest in or dedication to a particular activity or thing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word's meaning exists on a spectrum. Its primary sense relates to clinical dependencies (e.g., drug addiction), while its secondary, often informal sense describes a powerful but non-clinical habit (e.g., a coffee addiction). The primary sense implies compulsion and loss of control.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling and grammar are identical. Both varieties allow the secondary, metaphorical sense (e.g., 'addiction to a TV show').
Connotations
Identical connotations of compulsion and potential harm in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent and standard in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
addiction to (something)addiction (modifier) e.g., 'his addiction'suffer from addictionVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hook, line and sinker (figuratively, for total commitment to a habit)”
- “In the grip of (an addiction)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically, e.g., 'customer addiction to a platform'.
Academic
Used in psychology, medicine, and sociology to describe clinical conditions.
Everyday
Used to describe serious dependencies or, informally, strong preferences.
Technical
Defined by diagnostic criteria (e.g., DSM-5) involving impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was addicted to heroin for years before seeking help.
- She finds herself utterly addicted to that new detective series.
American English
- He became addicted to opioids after his surgery.
- My kids are completely addicted to that video game.
adverb
British English
- He played the game addictively, for hours on end.
- (Rare usage; 'compulsively' is more common.)
American English
- She checked her phone addictively throughout the meeting.
- (Rare usage; 'obsessively' is often preferred.)
adjective
British English
- The addictive properties of nicotine are well-documented.
- He has an addictive personality, prone to forming strong habits.
American English
- Social media platforms are designed to be addictive.
- She found the novel utterly addictive and finished it in one night.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Smoking can lead to addiction.
- He has an addiction to computer games.
- Drug addiction is a serious problem in many countries.
- She is trying to overcome her addiction to sugar.
- The clinic specialises in treating various forms of behavioural addiction, such as gambling.
- His addiction to social media began to affect his real-world relationships.
- Neuroscientists are studying the neural circuitry underlying addiction to understand its compulsive nature.
- The government's policy focuses on harm reduction rather than the criminalisation of addiction.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ADDiction starts with ADD – you keep ADDing more of the substance or activity, unable to stop.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADDICTION IS A CAPTOR/PRISON (e.g., 'in the grip of', 'struggling to break free from'). ADDICTION IS A DISEASE (e.g., 'treating', 'suffering from').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from 'аддикция' in informal contexts where 'habit' or 'passion' is more natural. In Russian, 'зависимость' is the primary equivalent, but note 'наркомания' is specific to drugs.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'addiction' for mild preferences (hyperbole). Incorrect preposition: 'addiction of' (correct: 'addiction to'). Confusing 'addiction' with 'habit' (all addictions are habits, but not all habits are addictions).
Practice
Quiz
In a clinical context, which element is MOST central to the definition of 'addiction'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While substance addiction is primary, the term is also valid for behavioural addictions like gambling, gaming, or internet use, especially in clinical contexts.
A habit is a routine behaviour, often automatic. An addiction involves a complex brain disease with compulsion, loss of control, craving, and continued use despite harm. A habit can be broken with willpower; addiction often requires professional treatment.
Informally, yes (e.g., 'I have an addiction to this amazing podcast'). However, this is hyperbolic. In formal or medical contexts, 'addiction' always carries negative connotations of dependency and harm.
The correct preposition is 'to', as in 'addiction to gambling' or 'addicted to social media'.