The Four Types of Addiction

What is addiction? The word itself comes from the Latin, addicere, which means “to give oneself to.” It is to voluntarily be enslaved by. Now, this is misleading, because although we voluntarily look for ways to feel better, we are not seeking to become addicts to those ways.

In a moment I’ll describe the four types of addiction, but first, it’s important to know that each of them – whether related to a substance, a behavior or to relationships – produce the same chemical reactions in the brain. So all addiction is really chemical addiction. I’ll go into more detail on this in an upcoming article.

In modern use, addiction is described as a loss of control due to the release of those mood- or reality-altering brain chemicals, coupled with the inability to stop the addiction behaviors despite negative impacts on one’s life. Thus a physical or psychological dependence is brought about.

The American Psychiatric Association has certain criteria for determining a diagnosis of addiction. At least three of the following must be present in the individual (these are adapted from the DSM IV-R):

• The substance is used in larger quantities or more often than intended;
• There have been unsuccessful attempts to stop use;
• There is an inordinate focus on obtaining, using, or recovering from the substance;
• It disrupts the person’s life;
• The person continues despite awareness of negative consequences;
• There is an increase in tolerance (the person needs more to get the same effect – this can reverse in late stages of addiction);
• There are identifiable withdrawal symptoms;
• The substance is used to avoid withdrawal.

The APA uses these to diagnose Substance Addiction, but anyone who has suffered from other types of addiction can easily recognize these within their own experiences.

The Four Types of Addiction:

Substance Addiction:

Obviously, this is about alcohol and drug addiction. A chemical of some sort is ingested into the body, triggering the chemical reaction in the brain.

Process Addiction:

This is when a person is “enslaved” to a process, such as gambling, shopping, work, extreme sports, sex, the internet, food (note: there are eating disorders that are not addictions, such as anorexia and bulimia, because have different symptoms), exercise, self-help/personal development, or any other process in which the afflicted person puts themselves, their relationships or their lives/livelihoods/lifestyles in harm’s way.

Systemic Addiction:

Sometimes erroneously called “addictive personality,” this has to do with a person’s way of thinking, their beliefs, perspectives, and behavior patterns. They are like “habits on steroids” and although the person is aware of the negative impact on his or her life, trying to stop or change the thoughts or behaviors often seems near impossible.

Codependency:

Though many people balk at this term, I don’t know a better word to describe this addiction to dysfunctional relationships, people-pleasing, and finding one’s self-worth or self-esteem through how other people view them. Nearly every addicted person I’ve met, regardless of their primary type of addiction, has some level of codependency present as well.

Each of these types of addiction can cause physical or psychological illness, destroy lives, and in the extreme, even lead to life-threatening behaviors and conditions. The treatment for each is often different in the short-term, but on-going, long-term recovery requires very similar steps. I’ll cover those in future articles.

See my previous blog, “Our Addictive Culture,” and you’ll recognize some of these traits in our media, politics, corporations, advertising, education system, religions, and throughout many aspects of our culture. The challenge we face in healing our society is the same challenge faced by an individual addict when considering recovery. It is daunting but doable!