AoH Learning Lab, Psychology Definition: Addiction
Industry accepted definition of addiction: Any repeated behavior, substance-related or not, in which a person feels compelled to persist, regardless of its negative impact on his/her life and the lives of others.
Addiction involves: 1. Compulsive engagement with the behavior, a preoccupation with it; 2. Impaired control over the behavior; 3. Persistence or relapse evidence of harm; and 4. Dissatisfaction, irritability, or intense craving when the object – be it a drug, activity or other goal – is not immediately available. (G. Mate, 2008).