Overall Addictions are caused by the same basic compulsory need to partake an activity that could be deemed risky or unhealthy for an individual. This compulsory behavior increases as time moves on and worsens the feeling of need in the addiction. Addictions can be detrimental to families, friendships, and the individuals work as whole, because the addiction consumes their thoughts. Addictions can be treated through various programs for individual addictions.

Addiction Background

Addictions are compulsive behaviors in which the sufferer has no control over. The addiction can be to something that is unhealthy for a person like drug use or gambling money away and can lead them to do things they would not normally do, like lie to their family or sneak around and participate in shameful activity. Addictions are serious because they can destroy relationships, families and jobs if left untreated.

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a specific form of addiction, in which the addict has the compulsive urge to drink alcohol. This usually starts off as a leisurely, recreational activity but as their tolerance to the alcohol builds, they have to consume more in order to get the same feeling the once had. This tolerance forms dependence upon alcohol which can be detrimental to the person's mental state and delicate balance of their life.

Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is in reference to the compulsory using of illegal drugs or abuse of prescribed medications. In cases of illegal drug use, this often starts off as a recreational activity but the tolerance of the body and the addictiveness of the substances create a combination that leaves the drug abuser powerless in terms of control. Drug addiction needs serious medical attention in order to be affective.

Gambling Addiction

Gambling Addiction is the compulsory need to gamble in hopes of hitting the jackpot. There are a number of different ways gambling addiction can occur: horse races, betting pools, card games, slot machines, casinos, and scratch off tickets. This need is met with the frequent loss of money and the need to still try to win. This type of gambling can be detrimental in terms of money and relationships.

Sex Addiction

Sex Addiction is one of the more commonly debated types of addiction. Sex addiction is when a person feels the desire to have sexual relations often. In some cases Sex Addiction can turn abusive towards a spouse, while in other cases it can lead to cheating, unsafe sexual practices, and even use of sexual supplemental materials or increased masturbation. Sex Addiction can put a severe strain on romantic relationships.

Internet Addiction

Internet Addiction is an addiction that has not yet been recognized under psychological experts’ standards; however, it has made its prevalence know throughout the nation. With more and more people becoming enraptured in the world of the Internet and all the variable resources it has to offer, it is soon to make it's way into the DSM IV as a legitimate addiction.