crippling addiction

USAGE SUMMARY

"crippling addiction" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to an addiction that is severe and significantly impacts a person's physical, emotional, or mental well-being. Example: "John's crippling addiction to gambling had led him to lose his job, his family, and his savings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The low points were fast mounting up for snooker player Mark King as he battled a crippling addiction to gambling.

Independent

Without the threat of crippling addiction, maybe drug use could increase, not decrease, because they're "not so dangerous" now.

The Guardian

Not surprisingly, much of the testimony about Mr. Jones, one of the last links to country music's rural pre-homogenized past, centered on his perseverance amid adversity and hardship — everything from growing up dirt-poor with an abusive father to battling inner demons like crippling addiction and self-doubt.

The New York Times - Arts

Instead, he sinks lower and lower, until death finally finds him, millions of dollars in debt, battling a crippling addiction to painkillers, attended to by a shady doctor who administered the insane doses of anesthesia that Jackson came to rely on in order to sleep.

The New Yorker

But she hopes people realize that her brother is battling a crippling addiction.

Huffington Post

With severe depression or a crippling addiction, though, positive thinking can sometimes make matters worse.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Based on the people I used to drink Cointreau with in the school dinner queue (when raiding your parents' drinks cabinet, always go for the least-touched spirit) we all turned out all right, and without any crippling addictions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Friends endure unspeakable adversity--including, but not limited to financial ruin, crippling addictions or, heaven forbid, having to bury a child.

Huffington Post

Okay, we get it, you're going for the washed-out, Courtney Love circa her crippling addictions look, and well done, you've nailed it!

Vice

Others say they did, but at an extreme cost, including acute side effects, crippling dependency or addiction.

Huffington Post

Painfully shy, he battled with a crippling heroin addiction.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crippling addiction", ensure the context clearly indicates the severity and negative impact of the addiction on the individual's life and well-being. Avoid using it lightly or in situations where the addiction's consequences are not genuinely debilitating.

Common error

Avoid using "crippling addiction" to describe mild dependencies or habits that don't significantly impair a person's ability to function. Reserve the phrase for genuinely severe cases with significant negative consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crippling addiction" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "crippling" modifies the noun "addiction". This construction serves to emphasize the debilitating and severely impactful nature of the addiction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

10%

Vice

10%

Less common in

The Guardian - Opinion

3%

BBC

2%

TechCrunch

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crippling addiction" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a severe and devastating addiction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the significant negative impact on a person's life. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as platforms like Vice and Wikipedia, the phrase effectively highlights the incapacitating nature of the addiction. Alternatives such as "debilitating addiction" or "severe addiction" may be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey. When using this phrase, it’s crucial to ensure the context aligns with the true severity of the addiction to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debilitating addiction

Replaces "crippling" with "debilitating", emphasizing the weakening effect of the addiction.

severe addiction

Uses a more straightforward adjective, "severe", to describe the intensity of the addiction.

overpowering addiction

Replaces "crippling" with "overpowering", highlighting the addictive substance's control over the individual.

overwhelming addiction

Emphasizes the addiction's magnitude and its impact on a person's life.

ruinous addiction

Highlights the destructive consequences of the addiction.

destructive addiction

Focuses on the damaging nature of the addiction.

life-altering addiction

Emphasizes the significant impact the addiction has on a person's lifestyle.

incapacitating addiction

Highlights the disabling effect of the addiction, making a person unable to function normally.

addiction with devastating consequences

Rephrases the concept to explicitly state the harmful outcomes of the addiction.

addiction leading to severe impairment

Describes the addiction in terms of its impact on a person's ability to function.

FAQs

How can I use "crippling addiction" in a sentence?

You can use "crippling addiction" to describe a severe addiction that significantly impairs a person's ability to function in daily life. For example: "His crippling addiction to opioids led to the loss of his job and family."

What are some alternatives to "crippling addiction"?

Alternatives include "debilitating addiction", "severe addiction", or "overpowering addiction", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "crippling addiction" in formal writing?

Yes, "crippling addiction" is appropriate for formal writing when accurately describing a severe addiction. However, consider the audience and purpose to make sure you are using the most precise and appropriate language.

What's the difference between ""severe addiction"" and "crippling addiction"?

"Crippling addiction" implies a greater degree of impairment and devastation than ""severe addiction"". "Crippling" suggests the addiction has rendered the individual largely unable to function normally, whereas "severe" simply indicates a high degree of intensity.