SIW “Personal and environmental factors in the development of the disease of

of addiction”

stop consuming a chemical, drug, activity, or substance, even though

it is causing psychological and physical harm.

The term addiction does not only refer to dependence on substances such as heroin or cocaine. A person who cannot stop taking a particular drug or chemical has a substance dependence.

1 in 7 people—abuse or are addicted to nicotine, alcohol or

other drugs. This is more than the number of people with heart conditions (27 million), diabetes (26 million) or cancer (19 million). 

of habit-forming behavior
neglecting or losing interest in activities that do

not involve the harmful substance or behavior
relationship difficulties, which often involve lashing out at people who identify the dependency
an inability to stop using a drug, though it may be causing health problems or personal problems, such as issues with employment or relationships
hiding substances or behaviors and otherwise exercising secrecy, for example, by refusing to explain injuries that occurred while under the influence
profound changes in appearance, including a noticeable abandonment of hygiene
increased risk-taking, both to access the substance or activity and while using it or engaging in it

the substance or engaging in the behavior, they may experience

certain symptoms

These symptoms include:
anxiety
irritability
tremors and shaking
nausea
vomiting
fatigue
a loss of appetite

more vulnerable to addictive substances than the average person
Psychological factors 

(e.g., stress, personality traits like high impulsivity or sensation seeking, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, personality and other psychiatric disorders)
Environmental influences (e.g., exposure to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or trauma, substance use or addiction in the family or among peers, access to an addictive substance; exposure to popular culture references that encourage substance use)
Starting alcohol, nicotine or other drug use at an early age 

more influential in determining whether an individual starts to use

substances, genetic factors appear to have more of an influence in determining who progresses from substance use to addiction.

treat withdrawal
treating related psychological factors, such as depression
ongoing care to reduce

the risk of relapse

chronic, disease that most often requires intensive, long-term treatment. And

just like other serious diseases, people with severe addiction get increasingly sick over time, develop other illnesses as a result of the disease, and can ultimately die.