Addiction

About addiction

What it is, why it happens and what helps. Contents:

• What addiction is
• Why it happens
• Recovery is common
• Addiction is treatable
• What helps: the research
• Working with cravings
• Lapses and relapse
• Behavioural addictions
• Building a life in recovery
• Recovery and your mental health
• If someone you love is struggling
• How self-help methods fit in
• Conventional help
• FAQs

What addiction is

Addiction is when someone keeps using a substance or doing an activity even though it is causing harm, and finds it very hard to stop. It can involve alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, prescription or illegal drugs, or behaviours such as gambling, gaming or shopping. The Cleveland Clinic describes addiction as a chronic condition that can affect many parts of life, and stresses that it is treatable: millions of people have overcome substance and behavioural addictions. [8]

Addiction is not a moral failing or a lack of willpower. Addictive substances and activities strongly activate the brain’s reward centre, which is why the pull can feel so hard to resist. [8] You can explore related topics in our Wellness hub.

Why it happens

There is no single cause. The US National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that genes account for about 40 to 60% of a person’s risk, and environment matters too, including stress, trauma, family and friends, and early use. [9] Many people first use a substance to feel better: to relax, sleep, fit in or escape pain. Over time, the brain comes to rely on it.

This is why many recovery approaches look beyond the substance itself. Healing often involves finding new ways to manage stress, anxiety and difficult feelings, and building a life with more connection and meaning.

Recovery is common

One of the most hopeful findings in addiction research is how many people recover. A national US study found that about 9.1% of adults, millions of people, had resolved a significant alcohol or drug problem. [10] Just over half of them used some form of assistance, such as treatment, mutual help groups or recovery services, while others recovered on their own. Mutual help groups were the most common form of support. [10]

In other words, recovery is not the exception. It is something ordinary people achieve every day, by many different routes.

Addiction is treatable

The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes addiction as a treatable disorder that can be managed successfully, much like other chronic conditions such as heart disease or asthma. It notes that the brain has a remarkable ability to recover, and that relapse does not mean treatment has failed. [7]

Effective approaches include behavioural therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, contingency management (rewards for staying abstinent) and motivational enhancement, and for some substances, medications. [7]

What helps: the research

• Mutual help groups. A Cochrane review of 27 studies and more than 10,000 people found that manualised Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelve-Step Facilitation programmes led to more continuous abstinence at 12 months than other established treatments such as CBT, with benefits lasting to two and three years, and probably saving healthcare costs. [5]
• Mindfulness. In a randomised trial of 286 people, mindfulness-based relapse prevention and standard relapse prevention both reduced relapse compared with usual care. A year later, the mindfulness group had fewer days of drug use and less heavy drinking. [2] A meta-analysis of 42 studies found mindfulness reduced substance use, craving and stress, and helped people quit smoking. [1]
• CBT. Cognitive behavioural therapy has shown good results for alcohol and drug problems, alone or with other treatments. [6]

Working with cravings

Cravings are a normal part of recovery, and they pass. They tend to rise, peak and fade if you don’t feed them. Here are some ways to ride them out.

1. Delay. Tell yourself you will wait 15 minutes. Set a timer.
2. Surf the urge. Notice where you feel the craving in your body. Breathe into it and watch it rise and fall, like a wave.
3. Tap. Many people use EFT tapping to take the edge off a craving. Guided videos are in Videos.
4. Distract and move. Walk, shower, cook, call someone or play a game.
5. HALT. Ask: am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired? Meeting that need often eases the urge.
6. Reach out. Text a friend, sponsor or group. Connection is one of the strongest supports in recovery.

Lapses and relapse

Many people slip on the way to lasting recovery. Experts stress that relapse does not mean treatment has failed. It means the plan needs adjusting, as with other long-term conditions. [7] Stress is one of the biggest triggers, so stress skills are a key part of relapse prevention. [9]

After a slip, the most important thing is to get back on track quickly and kindly. Shame tends to fuel more using, while self-compassion makes it easier to learn and keep going. Our guide to self-love practices has simple ways to be kinder to yourself.

Behavioural addictions

Not all addictions involve substances. Gambling disorder is a recognised diagnosis, [8] and many people struggle with gaming, social media, shopping, pornography or work in ways that feel out of control. The same principles often help: understanding your triggers, managing urges, building new rewards and connecting with others. Groups such as Gamblers Anonymous and SMART Recovery support behavioural addictions too.

Building a life in recovery

Stopping is only part of recovery. The other part is building a life that feels good enough that you don’t want to escape from it. Many people in long-term recovery describe it as gaining far more than they gave up.

• Structure. A regular routine for sleep, meals, work and exercise steadies mood and leaves fewer empty hours.
• New rewards. Exercise, music, cooking, sport, nature and creative projects give the brain healthy sources of pleasure. Exercise of many kinds can also lift low mood. [4]
• New friendships. Recovery communities, sober sports clubs, classes and volunteering are good places to meet people.
• Purpose. Working towards goals, helping others and reconnecting with your values give recovery meaning. Many people in mutual help groups find that supporting newcomers strengthens their own recovery.
• Patience. The brain takes time to heal. The brain has a remarkable ability to recover, though it takes time. [7]

Recovery and your mental health

Addiction often goes hand in hand with other challenges such as anxiety, low mood, trauma or ADHD. Many people first used a substance to cope with these feelings. Treating both together tends to work best, so it is worth telling your doctor or counsellor about everything you are dealing with.

Daily practices such as mindfulness, meditation and yoga support both recovery and mental health, and many people find they become a lasting part of life.

If someone you love is struggling

Loving someone with an addiction can be exhausting and painful. A few things help. Look after yourself first. Learn about addiction so you can respond with understanding rather than blame. Talk at a calm, sober moment, focusing on your concern and specific behaviour. Set clear boundaries about what you will and won’t do. Groups such as Al-Anon, Nar-Anon and SMART Recovery Family & Friends offer support for families. If you find yourself always putting their needs first, our guide to codependency recovery may help.

How self-help methods fit in

Self-help methods are a valuable part of recovery, alongside medical care and community. Mindfulness and urge surfing help you ride out cravings. Calming methods such as EFT tapping and relaxation ease the stress behind them. Methods such as hypnosis, NLP and the Lefkoe Method work on motivation and the beliefs that keep the habit going. Many people combine a daily practice with a group and professional support.

Conventional help

Start with your doctor. This is especially important for alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines and other sedatives, where stopping suddenly can be dangerous and medical support can make withdrawal safer. A doctor can also refer you to specialist services, talking therapies and medication-assisted treatment where appropriate. [7] Mutual help groups are free and available worldwide. Directories for several countries are in Get help & sources.

Frequently asked questions

Is addiction a disease or a choice?

Experts describe addiction as a chronic condition that is treatable, and not a moral failing. Addictive substances and activities strongly activate the brain’s reward centre. [8]

Can people recover from addiction?

Yes. A national US study found that about 9.1% of adults had resolved a significant alcohol or drug problem, which is millions of people. [10]

Do 12-step groups like AA work?

A Cochrane review found that manualised AA and Twelve-Step Facilitation led to more continuous abstinence than other treatments such as CBT, with benefits lasting up to three years. [5]

Does mindfulness help with addiction?

Yes. A meta-analysis of 42 studies found mindfulness reduced substance use, craving and stress. [1]

How do I deal with cravings?

Delay for 15 minutes, surf the urge by watching it rise and fall, tap, move, check if you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired, and reach out to someone who supports you.

Does relapse mean I’ve failed?

No. Experts say relapse does not mean treatment has failed. It is a signal to adjust the plan, as with other long-term conditions. [7]

Can tapping help with cravings?

Many people use EFT tapping to take the edge off cravings and the stress beneath them. A 2025 review found it a promising add-on for anxiety. [3]

The best videos on addiction

Hand-picked and checked one by one: physicians, researchers and people in recovery, plus guided urge surfing and tapping.

Understand addiction and recovery

Riding out cravings

Tapping for cravings

Books on addiction

Free resources

Experts to follow

Get help

Talk to a doctor before stopping alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines or other sedatives, as stopping suddenly can be unsafe. Get help too if use is affecting your health, work, money or relationships. A doctor can refer you to specialist services.

Find a therapist or counsellor

• US and Canada: Psychology Today (US) and (Canada) directories.
• UK: BACP therapist directory.
• Australia: APS Find a Psychologist, and Relationships Australia for couple and family services.
• Elsewhere, including Europe and India: ask your doctor or local health service for a referral, and check that anyone you see is registered or accredited where you live.

This hub is for information, not a substitute for medical or psychological care.

Sources

1. Li et al. (2017), Mindfulness treatment for substance misuse: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 75:62-96
2. Bowen et al. (2014), Relative efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse prevention, standard relapse prevention, and treatment as usual for substance use disorders, JAMA Psychiatry 71(5):547-556
3. Choi, Sung & Lee (2025), Emotional Freedom Techniques for anxiety disorders: a systematic review, Healthcare 13(17):2180
4. Noetel et al. (2024), Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, BMJ 384:e075847
5. Kelly, Humphreys & Ferri (2020), Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD012880
6. McHugh, Hearon & Otto (2010), Cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use disorders, Psychiatric Clinics of North America 33(3):511-525
7. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Treatment and recovery
8. Cleveland Clinic, Addiction
9. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Drug misuse and addiction
10. Kelly et al. (2017), Prevalence and pathways of recovery from drug and alcohol problems in the United States population, Drug and Alcohol Dependence 181:162-169

Written by Saj Ali. Last updated 30 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will fix it.