The compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance like heroin, nicotine, alcohol, etc. characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal is labeled as addiction.
The use of words like addict and addiction has progressed in recent years to include many things not inherently harmful and not characterized by any withdrawal other than the feeling of loss. Negative behavior is compulsive but it is not the same as addiction to a mind-altering substance. Physical exercise is good for everyone and can turn out to be helpful for the addict who is discontinuing the use of a mind-altering substance, but if the addict simply begins to use skiing compulsively and does not embrace the work and process of recovery, he is likely to return to substance use and abuse when the season is over. He will find skiing only goes so far in helping him deal with underlying pain, anger, and other feelings he has been covering up with substances and now this obsessive skiing.
The point is that the addict is the problem, the substance is not. A non-addict can have an intense interest in something, reading or art, or some form of exercise. This passion does not become destructive. The non-addict does not switch from intense and passionate reading, writing, painting, or skiing to abuse of alcohol or pills when he stops reading, writing, painting, or skiing. Non-addicts can have an intense interest or passion for something; this is not an addiction; it is an intense interest or passion for something that enhances their lives and is not destructive; they are not addicts; they are passionate and intense people or people with intense and passionate interests.
The real issue here is that addicts are different from other people. If you ever have the opportunity to listen to an addict try to explain to a non-addict how he thinks or feels and sees the puzzled look on the non-addict face, then watch two addicts talking to each other, nodding their heads, and finishing each other sentences, you will see the difference.
Again, the danger for the addict is in substituting something for the drug instead of working on recovery; it does not usually last and it does not provide for the resolution of past issues and progression to a clean, sober, and responsible life.
So, to answer the question, “is everyone addicted to something?” No, some people are addicts and they are susceptible to becoming addicted to any substance or process they use. Other people, perhaps 85% to 90% of the population, are not addicts; they can safely have intense interests and not risk destructive and harmful addictions or physiological withdrawal symptoms.
So if you think that you or someone you know is going through any kind of addiction, you can contact us for any kind of drug addiction treatment in New Delhi. We have our experts who will take care of you and we will promise you a speedy recovery.