Psychology, Psychotherapy and Mental Wellness

Addiction Research & Therapy

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Addiction is a medical condition that is characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, despite adverse consequences. It is a disorder of the brain's reward system which arises through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms and occurs over time from chronically high levels of exposure to an addictive stimulus.

Addiction results when a person ingests a substance (e.g., alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or engages in an activity (e.g., gambling, sex, shopping) that can be pleasurable but the continued use/act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, or health. Users may not be aware that their behavior is out of control and causing problems for themselves and others.

Approximately 3 out of every 100 Canadians are dependent on alcohol or drugs and 3 out of 100 Canadians have problems with gambling. Nicotine is also a major addiction in Canada, with about 17% of Canadians smoking regularly.

The types of addiction seen with drug use are defined in the DSM-IV-TR, but it uses the terms substance abuse and substance dependency. The main lists of Addictions to Substances are Alcohol, Tobacco, Opioids (like heroin), Cocaine, Cannabis (marijuana) & Prescription drugs. The other types of Behavioral or Process addictions are Gambling, Food, Sex, The Internet, and Work.