Addiction is the colloquial term for dependence on either a substance or upon a behaviour. The person concerned no longer has self-control. She or he is under the compulsion to use certain substances (such as alcohol) or engage in certain behaviours (e.g., gambling) in order to avoid stressful feelings. A distinction is made between substance-related and behaviour-related dependencies.
Addiction is a disease. Pension providers and social insurance institutions and, where appropriate, social assistance providers must pay for the cost of treatment.
