An addiction is a chronic dysfunction of the brain system. Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance or engages in an activity that can be pleasurable but the continuation of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary responsibilities and concerns, such as work, relationships, or health. Not many people who are addicted realize that their behavior is causing problems for themselves and others.

The most common addictions are: nicotine from tobacco, opiods from pain killers, cocaine, tetrehydrocannabinol (THC) from marijuana, the most frequent one is alcohol and most unnoticed one being caffeine. Physical addiction is a biological state in which the body adapts to the presence of a drug so that drug no longer has the same effect, otherwise known as a tolerance. Usually people succumb to stress and indulge in addictive substance to experience few moments of Euphoria-immense happiness.

Addictions may result due to brain dysfunctions involving the frontal lobes or due to environment and culture also play a role in how a person responds to a substance or behavior. 
Treating any kind of addictions requires how it works psychologically. The treatment modalities includes medications for diagnosed mental disorders, psychotherapy, medical management to cope up with withdrawal syndrome and the best one being self-help groups.

 
-Koya Satyasri