addiction

Etymology

From addict + -ion; compare (Latin) addictio (“an adjudging, an award”).

noun

  1. (medicine) A state that is characterized by compulsive drug use or compulsive engagement in rewarding behavior, despite negative consequences.
    Do your lethal addictions to self-prescriptions numb the ache of the darkest days? 2019, Thy Art is Murder, Chemical Christ
  2. The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination.
  3. A habit or practice that damages, jeopardizes or shortens one's life but when ceased causes trauma.
  4. A pathological relationship to mood altering experience that has life damaging consequences.

Attribution / Disclaimer All definitions come directly from Wiktionary using the Wiktextract library. We do not edit or curate the definitions for any words, if you feel the definition listed is incorrect or offensive please suggest modifications directly to the source (wiktionary/addiction), any changes made to the source will update on this page periodically.