addiction

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "addiction" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong or compulsive need or craving for something such as a drug or activity. For example, "He was unable to control his addiction to gambling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Society

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I should make one thing clear: the five women were addicted to drugs that led them to prostitution to fund their addiction.

The Guardian

And it's Farage, and his apparent addiction to media attention, that they blame.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said many donors had seen relatives or friends die through drug addiction.

The Guardian

Her lawyers argued that signs of her addiction were apparent both through how much she gambled in the period leading up to that evening, on the evening itself, and by what she said.

The Guardian

A superb work of literary Modernism and as tough and fascinating a work on addiction as anything by Burroughs or Buckowski.

The Guardian - Books

He clearly suffered from addiction, and he wrestled with it.

The Guardian - Film

Her popularity coincided with abuse by the studios, including the use of diet pills that led to addiction.

The Guardian - Film

Holby's consultant surgeon has had five wives, a gambling addiction and lost a son to heroin overdose.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For example, WuDunn suggests people can do as little as buy soap from Nashville's Thistle Farms, which is operated by a community of women who survived prostitution, trafficking and addiction and are featured in A Path Appears.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

· Addiction services failed to plan or implement appropriate care package and repeatedly ignored Stone's pleas for in-patient detoxification treatment.

The Guardian

The dark side of that gets all the attention, somehow, as though it was his career and not his life that was dogged by addiction.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "addiction", be specific about the substance or activity to which someone is addicted. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "addiction" loosely to describe minor habits or preferences. The term carries a significant weight and should be reserved for genuine dependencies with negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The word "addiction" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a state of being addicted or a compulsive engagement in a rewarding behavior despite negative consequences. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage across different contexts, from drug "addiction" to behavioral patterns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Film

15%

Society

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Books

5%

Sport

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "addiction" is a noun used to describe a compulsive engagement in rewarding behavior despite negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and usable in written English. It's a very common term, with usage spanning across various contexts, but most prominently in News & Media. When using "addiction", it's important to be specific about the substance or activity. Common errors include using the term loosely for minor habits. Alternatives include "dependence", "compulsion", and "habit". This guide provides insights into the correct and nuanced usage of "addiction".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

habitual dependence

This alternative emphasizes the habitual nature of the dependence, highlighting a consistent and repeated behavior.

chronic dependency

Using "chronic" underscores the long-lasting and persistent nature of the dependency.

compulsive behavior

This focuses on the irresistible urge driving the behavior, rather than the state of being dependent.

uncontrollable craving

Highlights the intensity of the desire and the lack of ability to resist it.

obsessive habit

This focuses on the obsessive nature of the habit, implying persistent and intrusive thoughts.

enslavement to

This phrase conveys a stronger sense of being controlled or dominated by the substance or behavior.

fixation on

This suggests an intense and often unhealthy preoccupation with something.

destructive pattern

This emphasizes the harmful consequences of the behavior, rather than the dependency itself.

problematic reliance

This softens the term, suggesting a dependence that is causing issues but may not be as severe.

consuming passion

While generally positive, this phrase can imply an overwhelming dedication that borders on being unhealthy.

FAQs

How is the word "addiction" typically used in a sentence?

The word "addiction" is used to describe a state of being compulsively driven to engage in a habit-forming behavior. For example, "He struggled with an "alcohol addiction"" or "Her "gambling addiction" led to financial ruin".

What are some alternative words for "addiction"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "dependence", "compulsion", "habit", or "reliance" as alternatives to "addiction". Each word carries a slightly different connotation.

Is it correct to use "addiction" to describe an enthusiasm for something?

While it's common to informally describe a strong enthusiasm as an "addiction", it is more accurate to reserve the term for dependencies that have negative impacts on health, relationships, or finances. For casual enthusiasm use words like "passion" or "devotion" instead.

What is the difference between "addiction" and "dependence"?

"Dependence" often refers to the physical or psychological need for a substance, whereas "addiction" encompasses compulsive behavior despite harmful consequences. Dependence can be a component of "addiction", but "addiction" includes a broader range of behaviors and impacts.