Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to engage in certain behaviors, one of which is the usage of a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Some types of addictions that may require psychiatric care include drug abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, gambling, or other impulse control disorders such as shoplifting or kleptomania and sex addiction. Additionally, there are also a wide range of behavioral addictions, such as compulsive Internet use or obsessive shopping, that can lead to problematic behavior and which may require the help of a qualified psychiatric care provider.
If a person is feeling out of control with an addiction, seeking psychiatric care can be a great way to gain support and gain tools and skills to cope with the addiction. It is important to note that even if the addiction does not seem to be serious, psychiatric care may still be necessary in order to learn about how to manage the addiction and reduce potential harm to oneself or others.
