Home Health Center
Addictions
Addictions
Definition
The dictionary definition of addiction is, “a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance.” Addictions now refer not only to substance abuse but also to mood-altering behaviors, and / or activities. There is growing evidence to prove that people who are addicts are often addicted to one or more substances or processes (behavior) at a time.
Addiction is one of the costliest health problems in the US today. It is a progressive condition that can worsen over time if not treated effectively. There is also a tendency for addicts to relapse or return to the addiction of their choice even after recovery. This contributes to the fact that nearly $114 billion is spent annually on health care costs for abuse or addiction of different types.
Frequently asked questions
References
- Cindy Burkhardt Freeman, Internet Gaming Addiction, The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2008, Pages 42-47, ISSN 1555-4155, 10.1016/j.nurpra.2007.10.006. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1555415507006514)
- B. Capps, W. Hall, A. Carter, Addiction, In: Editor-in-Chief: Ruth Chadwick, Editor(s)-in-Chief, Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics (Second Edition), Academic Press, San Diego, 2012, Pages 22-30, ISBN 9780123739322, 10.1016/B978-0-12-373932-2.00125-3. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123739322001253)
- Mark P. McGovern, Haiyi Xie, Sam R. Segal, Lauren Siembab, Robert E. Drake, Addiction treatment services and co-occurring disorders: Prevalence estimates, treatment practices, and barriers, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, Volume 31, Issue 3, October 2006, Pages 267-275, ISSN 0740-5472, 10.1016/j.jsat.2006.05.003. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740547206001437)
- Ilana B. Glass, Diploma in addiction behaviour: update, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Volume 25, Issue 1, February 1990, Pages 39-42, ISSN 0376-8716, 10.1016/0376-8716(90)90138-5. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0376871690901385)