Addiction refers to the inability to stop engaging in an activity or the use of a substance, even when doing so results in psychological and physical harm.
Addiction creates problems for us when it disrupts our ability to engage in other activities and pursuits. It negatively affects important areas of our life such as our work, relationships, physical and mental health.
Addiction is a biopsychosocial disorder. It stems from an interaction between our genetics and neurobiology, as well as our psychological and social environment. We may form addictions for many reasons. Some common reasons often include:
Certain factors such as stress, social networks or specific cues in the environment may trigger an urge and perpetuate the addiction again. As such, it can be challenging to overcome an addiction on your own. Therapy can help you escape these cravings and urges while building the skills needed to cope with life without depending on the addiction itself.