This essay will examine how addiction is defined and why or if it is recognized as a disease. Addiction can be defined as behavior that creates physical and psychological pleasure. However, this is where the cost to the individual visibly outweighs the benefits. Only psychoactive drugs that affect the pleasure areas of the brain will resort to substance dependence. These substances include everything from alcohol and nicotine to a variety of legal and illegal drugs. Although there is a large amount of information on substance use among individuals, no individual theories are distinguished regarding addiction. The Oxford Dictionary definition describes addiction as a condition of being habitually or compulsively busy or involved. in something. Addiction itself can be defined as unmanageable, compulsive, and an act that is committed even when it threatens the health and well-being of the individual or the potentially harmful social consequences it might bring. The word addict carries a negative stigma that arises from society’s perception. Perceptions that addicts are uncaring, unreliable, and unstable do not necessarily apply to all addicts. There are addicts who can function and manage their lives in such a way that no one is aware of their addiction. Addiction, however, has an advantage as a model of disease. It is considered a simple and basic model to understand. It slowly removed any stigma that was previously attached to drug addiction. It has also helped encourage substance users to attend self-help meetings or participate in drug treatment programs, who may not have previously attended due to the stigma it brings when 'they use substances with...... middle of paper .... ..change their behavior. The fifth stage is where the changes made are maintained and the individual is dedicated to making changes to their lifestyle to help maintain this. Unfortunately, individuals will experience lapses and relapses throughout their journey. In conclusion, it became clear that after looking at different theories, the main factor at play is the biological factor. However, addictive behaviors must be considered as part of a social and cultural factor. Substance users must be willing to learn, make decisions, and learn to interpret and process information. These factors must work together to help establish the addictive behavior present in an individual. To help fully appreciate addiction, there needs to be a more integrated approach that will take into account the different processes..