What is an addiction? - Comments

Alcohol will never solve any problem that you may have, because when the bottle is empty the problem is still there. I personally think a addiction is when you feel the need to use a substance (alcohol, tabaco, drugs etc) to feel normal and be able to function in a normal way. A good example of this would be that I am addicted to cigarettes, I hate smoking but I feel like crap and get headaches and so moody unless I have a smoke. I like to drink too but I can't say that I am addicted to drinking because I feel normal and can cary out my daily routines without drinking.

I think that definition fits it pretty well.

The alcohol example is a little confusing. Yes, most people can enjoy alcohol responsibly, and as a result suffer no harmful consequences from consuming it. Those people would generally not be considered addicted to alcohol. However, if they are addicted to alcohol it's a different story. They may be having problems in life and decide to drink rather than trying to solve these problems, because it seems too difficult to do so. They could become dependent on alcohol to 'help' them and get into the habit of drinking a lot. At this point, it's not really a choice anymore, and it can be harmful (depending on the extent of the alcohol abuse). Ceasing to consume alcohol might result in alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which has a large list of symptoms.

How you've described it doesn't sound like an addiction as a person like that doesn't seem dependent on alcohol, and just uses it because they want to. However, it sounds a little like the beginnings of an addiction as if you're psychologically dependent on it (assuming from the fact you say you "indulge" in it to solve problems), the physical dependence will start later, if you consume alcohol excessively and your body becomes dependent on it. I hope that helps.

Food. I find myself wanting food all the time, i'm putting on a lot of weight and I dont even know why i rely on food so much.

'Broadly, addiction is defined as the continued use of a mood altering addictive substance or behaviours despite adverse consequences.'

I think that's a pretty good definition. If you continue to (ab)use a substance or behaviour compulsively, despite it having negative effects on your life, that's an addiction.