Addiction and substance use

Alcohol, opioids, cannabis, nicotine and vaping, plus behavioral addictions like gambling, porn and phones.

• AddictionAddiction is a chronic but treatable condition in which a person continues to use a substance or engage in a behavior despite harmful consequences, and finds it very hard to stop. When it involves alcohol or drugs, clinicians call it substance use disorder. Recovery is possible, and effective addiction treatment is available.
• Alcohol use disorder (alcoholism)Alcoholism is the common name for alcohol use disorder (AUD), a medical condition in which a person has difficulty controlling their drinking despite negative effects on their health, relationships or responsibilities. It ranges from mild to severe. AUD is treatable, and many people reduce their drinking or stop with the right support.
• Cannabis use disorderMarijuana addiction, known clinically as cannabis use disorder, is a pattern of cannabis use that a person finds hard to control and that causes problems in their health, relationships, work or studies. Although many people use cannabis without developing a problem, it can be addictive, and withdrawal is real. Therapy can help people cut back or quit.
• Gambling addictionGambling addiction, known clinically as gambling disorder, is a persistent pattern of gambling that continues despite serious harm to finances, relationships, work or mental health. People with compulsive gambling find it very hard to stop or cut back, even when they want to. It is a recognized behavioral addiction, and effective help is available.
• Opioid addictionOpioid addiction, clinically called opioid use disorder (OUD), is a chronic but treatable condition in which a person keeps using opioids despite harm, such as prescription painkillers, heroin or fentanyl. It changes how the brain responds to reward and stress, which makes stopping very hard without support. Effective treatment exists, and recovery is possible.
• Phone and social media addictionPhone addiction, often discussed together with social media addiction, describes a pattern of compulsive use of smartphones, social media, the internet or video games that feels hard to control and starts to harm sleep, mood, work or relationships. It is not always a formal diagnosis, but the struggle is real, and therapy and practical changes can help people regain balance.
• Porn addictionPorn addiction is a common term for compulsive porn use: watching pornography in a way that feels out of control and continues despite negative effects on your life, relationships or wellbeing. Clinicians often place it under compulsive sexual behavior. It is treatable, and many people regain a sense of choice with support.
• Quitting smoking and vapingHow to quit vaping or smoking comes down to breaking a nicotine addiction that is both physical and habitual. Nicotine changes how the brain responds to stress and reward, which is why stopping can feel hard. The good news is that combining a clear quit plan, behavioral support and medical treatment greatly improves your chances of quitting for good.