When most people hear the word addiction, they immediately think about alcohol or drugs. Yet addiction can take many forms, and some of the most difficult problems to recognize do not involve a substance at all. Gambling, compulsive shopping, excessive gaming, and problematic internet use can become difficult to control, especially when they provide temporary […]

Addiction can begin in many different ways, and it does not always look like the stereotype people expect. One person may gradually develop alcohol dependence after years of using drinking to cope with stress. Another may become dependent on a prescription medication that was originally taken for a legitimate medical reason. Someone else may develop […]

Addiction does not always begin with an obvious crisis. Sometimes it starts with a drink after a stressful day, medication prescribed for pain, gambling that seems harmless, or hours spent gaming to escape difficult emotions. Over time, however, a substance or behavior can become increasingly difficult to control. When that happens, the consequences can reach […]

Addiction can be easy to miss when it does not fit the stereotype. A person can struggle with alcohol while maintaining a career, become dependent on medication that was originally prescribed for a legitimate health concern, or develop a compulsive relationship with gambling, gaming, shopping, or another behavior. In many cases, addiction begins quietly, gradually […]