The Difference Between an Addiction and a Compulsion

The Difference Between an Addiction and a Compulsion Addiction Addictive Behaviors Print The Difference Between an Addiction and a Compulsion By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 27, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on January 27, 2020 Peter Dazeley / Photographers Choice / Getty Images More in Addiction Addictive Behaviors Caffeine Internet Shopping Sex Alcohol Use Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery In This Article Table of Contents Expand Definition Key Differences Pleasure Reality Why All the Confusion? View All Back To Top Sometimes people use the words addiction and compulsion  interchangeably. However, they are not actually the same thing.?? What is the difference between the two? Defining Addiction and Compulsion Addiction is a broad term,?? which is used to describe an entire process by which people become dependent on a particular substance or behavior in order to cope with life. This dependence becomes so important to the individual that they will persist in using the substance or engaging in the behavior, even when it is harmful to themselves, their family and other important areas of their life. In contrast, compulsion?? is a quite narrow term, which is used to describe the intense urge to do something, which can sometimes lead to a behavior, but does not always. Compulsions are a small but important part of the addictive process and are also a major part of obsessive-compulsive disorder. How are addiction and compulsion related? As an addiction develops, it begins to involve the desire or  compulsion to take an addictive substance, such as alcohol or heroin, or to carry out an addictive behavior, such as gambling or sex, but it also involves other processes. The Key Differences There are two main differences between addiction and compulsion. They include: 1. Pleasure A compulsion, at least as it is experienced in obsessive-compulsive disorder, does not include the experience of pleasure, whereas an addiction does. While people who have addictions suffer all manner of discomfort, the desire to use the substance or engage in the behavior is based on the expectation that it will be pleasurable. In contrast, someone who experiences a compulsion as part of obsessive-compulsive disorder may not get any pleasure from the behavior he carries out. Often, it is a way of dealing with the obsessive part of the disorder, resulting in a feeling of relief. This can get a little confusing because there often comes a point for people with addictions where they don’t really enjoy the addictive behavior, and they are just seeking relief from the urge to use or engage in the behavior. This is compounded by the experience of withdrawal that often happens when they stop taking the substance or engaging in the behavior. Although this can look like obsessive-compulsive behavior because the pleasure is gone, the original motivation to engage in the behavior was to feel good.?? 2. Reality Another major distinction between an addiction and a compulsion has to do with the individual’s awareness of reality. When people have obsessive-compulsive disorder,?? they are usually aware that their obsession is not real. They are often disturbed by feeling the need to carry out a behavior that defies logic, yet they do it anyway to relieve their anxiety. In contrast,?? people with addictions are often quite detached from the senselessness of their actions, feeling that they are just having a good time and that other concerns aren’t that important. This is often known as denial because the addicted person denies that his use or behavior is a problem. Often it is not until a major consequence  occurs such as a spouse leaving, a drunk-driving accident, or a job loss, that they are faced with the reality of their addiction. Why All the Confusion? Addiction and compulsion are both terms that have entered our everyday language.?? Like many words that are in common use, they may be misused and misunderstood. This causes confusion for everyone, especially those suffering from addictions and compulsions, but also for professionals trying to help. Often, people use these terms interchangeably without thinking about the distinctions between them.