Addiction
Addiction is a compulsion that drives a recurring pattern of addictive behavior aimed at escaping reality by altering one’s mental state. This phenomenon can take various forms, such as substance use, excessive involvement in sports, gambling, video gaming, other computer-based entertainment, eating-related problems (overeating or fasting), and many others.
However, in its narrowest sense, the term “addiction” is most often associated with harmful dependence on chemical substances that can alter a person’s mental state. Such dependence can lead to serious health problems, personality deterioration, and the breakdown of social relationships. Addiction is characterized by a loss of self-control and an irresistible urge to continue the behavior despite serious negative consequences.