Addiction Terminology

noun a chronic disease characterized by a dependency on alcohol consumption

• Alcoholism is a serious medical condition characterized by an addiction to alcohol.
• Alcoholism can really take a toll on a person's health and relationships.
• Some people struggle with booze too much and end up with alcoholism.
• In a way, alcoholism can be like drowning in a sea of alcohol with no way out.

adverb in a way that is impossible to resist or control

• She compulsively checked her email every five minutes, even during important meetings.
• He compulsively rearranges his bookshelf whenever he's feeling stressed.
• She's always compulsively scrolling through social media, it's like she can't stop.
• His need for control was so strong, it was like he was compulsively trying to hold the world together.

verb to have a strong desire for something

• Despite her strict diet, she couldn't help but crave a piece of chocolate cake.
• I'm really craving some pizza right now, want to order in?
• I'm totally craving some fries, let's hit up the drive-thru.
• After a long day at work, I crave some peace and quiet.

noun a powerful desire for something

verb to have an intense longing for something

• The patient's craving for sugar has been noted by the medical team.
• I'm really craving some chocolate right now.
• I'm totally jonesing for a burger.
• His craving for adventure led him to explore new places.

noun a severe form of alcohol withdrawal characterized by confusion, tremors, hallucinations, and seizures

• The patient was admitted to the hospital with severe delirium tremens.
• He was shaking and sweating like crazy from the delirium tremens.
• The guy was going through some serious DTs from all the drinking.
• His mind was in a state of delirium tremens, unable to distinguish reality from illusion.

noun the action of refusing to admit the truth or existence of something

• The defendant entered a plea of denial in response to the charges.
• She's in denial about how serious the situation is.
• Stop living in denial and face the truth.
• His denial of the problem only made it worse in the long run.

noun a drug or substance that reduces functional or nervous activity

adjective relating to or causing a decrease in functional or nervous activity

• Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that slows down brain function.
• I heard that Xanax is a depressant, so be careful with it.
• I can't believe he's still taking those downers, they're such strong depressants.
• The rainy weather has a depressant effect on my mood.

noun an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic drinks

• Dipsomania is a medical condition characterized by uncontrollable alcohol craving.
• She jokingly referred to her love for wine as dipsomania.
• Some people think dipsomania is just an excuse to drink excessively.
• His dipsomania for adventure led him to travel the world.

noun a condition characterized by the compulsive use of drugs despite negative consequences

• Drug addiction is a serious medical condition that requires professional treatment.
• My cousin has been struggling with drug addiction for years.
• She's hooked on drugs and can't seem to kick the habit.
• His addiction to drugs was like a weight dragging him down, preventing him from reaching his full potential.

noun a particular group or community that has a strong influence and involvement in the use and distribution of drugs

• The prevalence of drug culture in urban areas is a growing concern for public health officials.
• There's a lot of drama in our school because of the drug culture among some students.
• The party scene in that city is wild - it's all about the drug culture there.
• The toxic drug culture within the company was slowly eroding its reputation and productivity.

noun a person who is addicted to a particular substance, typically drugs

adjective relating to or characteristic of a junkie

• The rehabilitation center specializes in treating drug addicts and junkies.
• I heard he used to be a junkie but has been clean for years now.
• She's a total junkie for reality TV shows.
• He's a junkie for adrenaline, always seeking out extreme sports and risky activities.

noun a person who seeks pleasure

adjective describing the act of seeking pleasure

• The concept of pleasure seeking has been a topic of philosophical debate for centuries.
• Some people are always on the lookout for pleasure seeking activities to keep themselves entertained.
• Those pleasure seeking folks are always up for a good time.
• In a world full of pleasure seeking individuals, it's important to find balance and prioritize long-term happiness.

adjective describing a behavior or tendency that causes harm or damage to oneself

• Her self-destructive behavior is causing concern among her family and friends.
• He needs to stop his self-destructive habits before it's too late.
• She's been on a real self-destructive streak lately.
• His self-destructive tendencies are like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

noun the act of satisfying one's own desires, especially in a sexual or selfish manner

• Self-gratification is often seen as a selfish act in society.
• Some people turn to self-gratification to feel good about themselves.
• I caught him in the act of self-gratification in his room.
• Seeking self-gratification through material possessions can lead to emptiness in the long run.

noun the act of inhaling and exhaling the smoke of tobacco or a drug

adjective related to the act of smoking

• The act of smoking is prohibited in this area.
• Hey, do you mind not smoking here?
• I can't believe he's still smoking, it's so bad for him.
• Her love for him was like a smoking addiction, impossible to quit.

noun a person who is experiencing pain or distress

• The sufferer of the rare disease has been receiving specialized treatment at the hospital.
• The poor sufferer has been feeling under the weather for a few days now.
• The sufferer is really going through it right now.
• The sufferer of unrequited love felt like their heart was being torn apart.

noun excessive devotion to work

• Workaholism is a condition where individuals feel compelled to work excessively and prioritize work above all else.
• Some people just can't seem to stop working, it's like they have a serious case of workaholism.
• Dude, you need to chill out with the workaholism and take a break once in a while.
• Her workaholism was like a black hole, sucking up all her time and energy without end.

noun a medical condition characterized by a problematic pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress

• Substance use disorder is a clinical term used to describe a pattern of harmful use of substances such as drugs or alcohol.
• Having a substance use disorder means struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol.
• Dealing with substance use disorder is tough, but there are resources to help.
• Substance use disorder can feel like being trapped in a cycle of dependence and cravings.

noun a street drug containing heroin and other substances

pronoun used to ask about or refer to a person's identity or character

• The use of Whoonga, a highly addictive drug, has been a growing concern in many communities.
• Have you heard about that new drug called Whoonga? It's causing a lot of problems.
• I heard he's hooked on Whoonga and can't seem to kick the habit.
• Whoonga is like a trap that slowly consumes those who fall into its grip.

noun an obsessive preoccupation with shopping or buying things

• Oniomania is a serious condition characterized by compulsive shopping behavior.
• I think my friend might have oniomania because she can't stop buying things.
• Some people joke about having 'shopaholic syndrome' but oniomania is a real issue.
• His oniomania for collecting vintage records knows no bounds.

noun a noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'shopaholism' is a noun that refers to the compulsive need to shop excessively.

• Shopaholism is a serious condition characterized by compulsive shopping behavior.
• My friend's shopaholism is getting out of control - she buys something new every day!
• I think I may have a bit of shopaholism, I can't resist a good deal.
• His shopaholism was like a black hole, constantly sucking in money and possessions.

adjective addicted is an adjective that describes someone who is physically or mentally dependent on a particular substance or activity.

• The patient has developed an addiction to prescription painkillers.
• She's completely addicted to that new TV series.
• He's totally hooked on playing video games all day.
• She's addicted to the thrill of taking risks.

noun a person who is addicted to a particular substance or activity

• The rehabilitation center provides support and treatment for drug addicts.
• Some addicts struggle to break free from their addiction on their own.
• Those addicts need to get their act together and seek help.
• She was a book addict, always immersed in the world of literature.