What Is Substance Abuse & Addiction?: Addiction, or substance abuse, describes a state of being dependent on a behaviour, being unable to function without it, or experiencing distress, guilt or shame about engaging or not engaging in the behaviour.
Compulsive behaviours can become addictions, and people can become addicted to a wide variety of things, including alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, shopping and the internet.
Addiction can be very distressing as well as damaging to your social, professional and family life. It is also extremely likely to be genetic. If you or someone in your family is experiencing substance and addiction issues, family therapy could help each member of your family get support, as well as benefit the family as a whole.
Left untreated, addiction and substance abuse issues may lead to extreme social, physical, emotional, relationship and job-related problems, not just the user, but to their friends, partners and family as it spirals out of control.
Many people who develop substance abuse or addiction problems will already have ongoing symptoms of depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other behavioural disorders.