Contrary to popular belief, addiction does not just describe a dependency on drugs or alcohol. Among addictions there are two broad categories:
- Process Addictions (e.g. a compulsive behavior like shopping addiction)
- Substance Addictions (Drugs and Alcohol)
Which category of addiction that one is susceptible to ,and which is the most dangerous will vary from individual to individual based on their own idiosyncrasies and personal histories.
There are a variety of drugs that one can find oneself addicted to, and they include such substances as:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Opioids (e.g heroin , codeine and morphine)
- Prescription drugs (sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics and tranquilizers)
- Cocaine
- Cannabis (marijuana)
- Amphetamines (e.g methamphetamine AKA meth)
- Hallucinogens
- Inhalants
- Phencyclidine (e.g PCP or Angeldust)
- Other substances
Among Process Addictions (behavioral) there is a wide spectrum of afflictions that one can succumb to. Some of them include:
- Food (eating)
- Sex
- Pornography (attaining, viewing)
- Using computers / the internet
- Playing video games
- Working
- Exercising
- Spiritual obsession (as opposed to religious devotion)
- Pain (seeking)
- Cutting
- Shopping
Where a person may become dependent on a substance, and therefore develop a substance abuse addiction, people can also develop dependencies on certain types of behavior.