Addiction

Addiction is an uncontrollable urge and compulsion to engage in certain activities or use certain substances. The most common types of addictions are substance addiction and behavioral addiction. Substance addiction is the urge to use substances such as prescription painkillers, illicit substances such as recreational drugs, nicotine or alcohol. People who have mental health disorders are more likely to have substance use disorders. Behavioral addiction is the compulsion to engage in activities, including dieting, eating, gambling, exercising, shoplifting, sexual activity, viewing pornography, shopping, video gaming, and browsing the internet.