Addiction is a complicated illness where a person becomes dependent on a drug or activity, to the point that it negatively impacts their life. It’s not just about using something over and over, but about losing control, feeling unable to stop, and prioritizing the drug or activity over important things like relationships, school, work, or health.

Addiction can happen with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, video games, social media, or even exercising. When someone has an addiction, their brain craves “that thing” more and more, so stopping can feel extremely difficult.

A person doesn’t become addicted to a drug or activity automatically, but the process can be quick.  It often starts with a choice, but not everyone who tries something becomes addicted. For some people, it might begin with trying a drug or activity because they are stressed or bored. Maybe they are in a social situation with friends and don’t want others to think they don’t belong. Repeated use over time can develop a feeling of needing to use it or do it in order to get through the day.

One of the reasons people get addicted to drugs is the release of dopamine to the brain.  Dopamine is a chemical in your brain that’s often called the “feel-good” chemical. It’s released when you do something enjoyable, like eating your favorite food, playing a game, or hanging out with friends. It helps you feel happy and motivated. Addiction happens when something you enjoy makes your brain release a lot of dopamine, and your brain starts to crave that feeling. Over time, if you keep doing that thing, your brain becomes used to the rush of dopamine.

But here’s the thing, the more your brain is exposed to dopamine, the more your brain wants it. It's like if you keep eating sugary snacks all the time, you start craving sugar more and more. Eventually, you might need more of the thing to get the same "high" or good feeling, which is when addiction starts to take over.

Addiction is a disease that can take over the brain, and it’s not always easy to reverse. Even when someone works hard to stop, there’s still a chance they might fall back into it. That’s because addiction actually changes how the brain works. Think of it like this: addiction hijacks the brain.

But when addiction takes hold, those circuits stop working the way they should. Instead of craving healthy activities, your brain starts thinking the substance is what makes you feel good, and it wants more. This can make you feel anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed when you don’t have it. That’s your brain working in overdrive, trying to chase that same pleasure.

Addiction also affects how the brain grows, especially in young people. It can damage the frontal cortex; the part of the brain that helps you make good decisions and recognize when something is harmful. When that part doesn’t work properly, it’s harder for your brain to know when to stop.

People can become addicted to more than just alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. It can also involve things like cell phones, video games, or social media. But when addiction involves drugs, it can lead to serious health problems.

Even though addiction begins in the brain, it also affects the rest of the body. Over time, addiction can weaken the immune system and make it harder for the body to fight off illness. It can also lead to lung disease (like asthma), liver damage, heart disease, and cancer. The longer a person uses a drug, the more harm they can cause to their body.