Question by DLM: What is the current medical definition of “addiction?” (more)?
Also, does the definition differ from one substance to another, or in the case of gambling or other behaviors, where there is no chemical dependency, is there a separate definition for those as well?

I am just curious about the “umbrella” that the word addiction covers in the medical world, versus common everyday ‘people-talk’ use of the word. The more specifics you can provide, the better.

Best answer:

Answer by John de Witt
You’ll want a DSM-IV for all the definitions you’d ever care to look at.

Answer by Adam
I think addiction to substances and addiction to activities are two different things. Substances create a mostly physical need, and activities create a psychological need.

I doubt there is an exact definition for either case, but in general, addiction to a substance would imply that the person’s body goes through withdrawal symptoms when the substance does not enter the body. Addiction to an activity probably has a large gray area, but in general I’d say if a person sets the activity much higher than essentials (job, family, etc.), then the person is addicted to the activity.

Medterms.com says: “Dependence is at such a point that stopping is very difficult and causes severe physical and mental reactions from withdrawal.”

So I’d say that the initial diagnosis is mostly a subjective thing only to be done by a doctor but probably not too difficult for a layman to identify. The objective diagnosis is in the reaction to absence of the substance or activity rather than the presence.

Add your own answer in the comments!

 

 

GAMBLING BOOM in the UK – More Addicts than ever! Social Cost of Gambling – GAMBLING BOOM in the UK – More Addicts than ever! Social Cost of Gambling There may be as many as 250000 problem gamblers in the UK. The anticipation and thrill of gambling creates a natural high that can become addictive. The internet has made gambling more accessible, allowing more and more people to do it from home. This is thought to be one of the reasons for the increase in the number of women gamblers. There’s also a link between gambling and alcohol abuse. Many gambling addicts are also addicted to alcohol. Rates of depression and attempted suicide among gambling addicts are around double the national average. Gambling addicts are also more likely to go to prison as a result of criminal activity. This is almost entirely theft and fraud. There’s evidence that gambling can be successfully treated in the same way as other addictions. Cognitive behavioural therapy usually has the best results. Specialised addiction services that focus mainly on substance misuse often also treat gambling problems. They use the same techniques to treat gambling addictions that they use to treat substance misuse. “We should be regulating advertisements and educating punters of the risks of compulsive gambling. Every player should be fully aware of the consequences of winning or losing a game,” he said on Italian TV last week. In spite of the grinding recession and unemployment above 9 per cent, Italy’s gambling industry is booming. While large casinos and racetracks have been losing …

 

Recovered gambler almost lost it all

Filed under: gambling addictions

BE1121-Gambler1C.jpg. Chris Parlow, a New Westminster resident, lost his house, car and five-year-old golden retriever Shasta because of his gambling addiction. He hasn't gambled in more than three years, and recently his girlfriend gave him a four …
Read more on New Westminster News Leader

 

Kweku Adoboli's risky bets fuelled by City-wide 'addiction'

Filed under: gambling addictions

"There are absolutely thousands of undiagnosed gambling addicts in the City. The difference is that the odds are slightly more in your favour than if you're gambling in a Ladbrokes, and so there are many more people who can be successful gambling …
Read more on The Guardian