addiction
n. C / Un. a strong need to keep taking a drug or doing a certain activity, even when it causes harm. It feels like you cannot stop yourself.
n. a chronic psychological or physical dependence on a substance, behaviour, or activity. It is characterised by a compulsive desire to continue despite adverse consequences.
He is getting professional help to overcome his addiction to gambling.
The clinic offers support groups for people struggling with addiction, helping them rebuild their lives without relying on alcohol or drugs.
Modern neuroscience views addiction not merely as a failure of willpower, but as a complex disorder that fundamentally alters the brain's reward pathways and impulse control.
From addict + -ion; compare (Latin) addictio (“an adjudging, an award”).
Often followed by the preposition 'to' when specifying the substance or behaviour.