Another Word For Addiction

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Meaning

The word "addiction" refers to a state where a person has a strong, compulsive need to engage in a certain behavior or to consume a particular substance, despite negative consequences. This can relate to various things, such as drugs, alcohol, gambling, or even behaviors like gaming or shopping. It is characterized by a lack of control over the activity or substance and often leads to significant problems in a person's life.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Etymology

The word "addiction" comes from the Latin root "addictus," which means "to give over, to devote." This Latin word is a combination of the prefix “ad-,” meaning "to," and “dictus,” meaning "to say" or "to declare." Over time, the term evolved in English to refer specifically to the compulsion towards certain behaviors or substances.

Examples

  1. She struggled with her addiction to caffeine, often consuming several cups of coffee a day.
  2. His gambling addiction led him to make poor financial decisions that affected his family.
  3. The treatment program helped many individuals overcome their addiction to opioids.
  4. Addiction can take many forms, including behavioral ones like excessive gaming.
  5. Recognizing an addiction is the first step towards recovery and healing.