addiction

n. a state of psychological or physical dependence (or both) on the use of alcohol or other drugs. The term is often used as an equivalent term for substance dependence and sometimes applied to behavioral disorders, such as sexual, Internet, and gambling addictions. A chemical substance with significant potential for producing dependence is called an addictive drug. —addictive adj.

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Psychology term of the day

November 16th 2024

assignment therapy

a technique used in group therapy to enhance cohesiveness and communication among the participants so as to obtain maximum therapeutic benefit. A sociometric test is administered to determine the patterns of intermember relations within the group as a whole, and these patterns are then used to assign individuals to smaller, more focused groups. [articulated by Jacob L. Moreno]