Are all addicts really addicts?

No, when people say negative thing’s about themselves I tend to believe them. People are good at hiding thing’s.

When you consider things like BDD or hypochondria.. I wonder how likely it is that someone is wrong about being addicted to a substance.

When someone says they are addicted to something that has no chemical component (such as the internet) I doubt the use of the word addiction. Unhealthy obsession, perhaps, but not addiction.

So-called caffeine addicts aren’t addicts. They are still in full control and can decide not to drink coffee and endure the head-ache.

Addictions means loss of control. In Germany 93% of all the people who drink alcohol are not addicts, for example (according to a study I heard of).

I am addicted to fluther! Just can’t get enough of fluther!

There seems to be a continuum starting with statements where people say “I’m so addicted to chocolate”- meaning that they really love chocolate, not a true addiction at all, but a statement of intense like or admiration, all the way to true addicts who have lost control of themselves and need help (many who are in denial). There’s no one symptom, but a collection of symptoms.

My continuum… I’m “addicted” to chocolate (love it), am mildly addicted to caffeine (get physical withdrawal reactions, which IS one sign of true addictions), used to be really addicted to work (it interfered with my quality of life, another sign of a true addiction) but learned with help how to control my schedule, and had a parent who was a true addict (absent emotionally).

Chocolate contains caffeine and it stimulates the brain to produce endorphins, both of which can be chemically addictive.

@downtide – I prefer the term compulsive overeating.