What is addiction?
Addiction is when you want to keep doing something so much that you can’t stop, or can’t control how often you do it.
Lots of us know about addiction to alcohol or drugs, but you can be addicted to almost anything including gambling, work, eating, gaming, social media, your phone, shopping or sex. This guide talks about some of the most common types of addiction.
When an addiction takes hold, you'll gradually leave behind other priorities. And if not treated the addiction will have a negative effect on your work, health and social life.
Not everyone that drinks too much, shops too much, or spends too much time online has an addiction. But if you can't stop your behaviour, even when you know it's causing you harm, its likely you have an addiction.