What is Addiction?

It is sometimes referred to as a “two-fold disease”, being an “obsession of the mind coupled with an allergy of the body.”


Addiction is the experience of not being able to stop using a substance or engaging in a behaviour despite a genuine desire to stop.


Addiction is the combination of being in a state of emotional discomfort (often discomfort we are not consciously aware of) and having a previous experience with a powerfully soothing substance or behaviour. Our underlying discomfort increases as a result of this cycle, making us seek even more relief.


When it comes to a substance addiction (like sugar), we also can develop a physical dependence which complicate things further. (It) becomes so essential  to our comfort that we can’t muster  the willingness to stop without help. We are addicted.


Addiction is a spectrum. Some people have a much harder time controlling their addictive behaviours than others. Some need intensive treatment and some seem to be able to do it with minimal assistance. Do not compare yourself to others; compare yourself to yesterday’s version of yourself. If you have tried to stop or moderate a particular behaviour and cannot seem too despite your attempts to stop, that thing is addictive FOR YOU, regardless if others can stop or not. 
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