Addiction, Recovery & Yoga

Defining Addiction

In a Nutshell

I define addiction as any behavior you continue to do despite the fact that it brings negative consequences to your life. — Tommy Rosen

More Definitions

• “A person suffering from addiction cannot control how much or how often they partake in a substance or engage in an activity, and they become dependent on it in order to cope with daily life.” (Adam Felman)
• “A mental disorder which compels someone to repeatedly use substances or engage in behaviors even though they have harmful consequences.” (Addiction Center)
• “Anything used to escape an intolerable reality is something that could lead to or form an addiction, including, but not limited to:  food, sex, exercise, work/activity, caffeine, media, alcohol, shopping, OCD behaviors, nicotine, gambling, relationships, power and control, and illegal prescription drugs.” (Nikki Meyers).
• Although he is clear that any behavior with negative consequences constitutes an addiction, Tommy Rosen enumerates what he calls the Big 6 Addictions: drugs, alcohol, food, people, money, and technology. (Recovery 2.0)

Prevalence