Are you controlled by an addiction?

"Addiction" is a biological, psychological, and social dependence on any mood-altering substance (alcohol or drugs), or on obsessive-compulsive behaviors (problem gambling, compulsive overeating, relationship or sex addiction).  Addiction offers short term gratification and long term pain and suffering.

Addiction includes obsession, compulsion, and loss of control.  The obsession involves thinking about, planning, and looking forward to using the substance or acting out the problem behavior again and again. 

Despite long-term painful consequences, there is also a compulsive, overwhelming urge to use the substance or behavior to relieve the pain created by the addiction, which fuels an endless cycle of addiction.