Stop Saying We’re ‘Addicted’ to Everything

Misusing the term trivializes the experiences of addicts, misleads people about treatment options and lets bad behavior off the hook

MEL
MEL
Aug 23, 2017 · 2 min read

It seems like there’s nothing Americans won’t claim to be addicted to these days—everything from life-ruining compulsions (sex and video games) to relatively harmless obsessions (kale and coffee enemas). But while people may be certain they’re as addicted to Grand Theft Auto, chopped kale salads or pornography as an alcoholic is to booze, the medical community is adamant they’re not. In fact, modern medicine only recognizes a handful of addictive substances in the DSM-5 (the official handbook of diagnoses). In other words, when it comes to the brain, cyber and sex addition are very different from drug and alcohol addiction.

More addiction:

MEL Magazine

There's no playbook for how to be a guy

)

MEL

Written by

MEL

MEL Magazine

There's no playbook for how to be a guy

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade