Addiction is a disease. Just as not all infirmities are diseases (e.g., a broken leg), not all habits are addictions.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) definition of 'addiction' is:
"Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors."
Just liking fries a lot isn't an addiction unless you are incessantly pursuing them to the detriment of other important parts of your life -- like maintaining health; keeping a roof over your head; sleeping; holding down a job; interpersonal relations; etc.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) definition of 'addiction' is:
"Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors."
Just liking fries a lot isn't an addiction unless you are incessantly pursuing them to the detriment of other important parts of your life -- like maintaining health; keeping a roof over your head; sleeping; holding down a job; interpersonal relations; etc.
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Dr H
"So, I became an anarchist, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt."
Dr H
"So, I became an anarchist, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt."
