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ADDICTION ALCHEMY GLOSSARY
The purpose of posting these definitions is to achieve a better understanding of potentially how the masses view these terms and concepts. We neither agree nor disagree with these definitions, either in whole or part.

addic·tion
Note: The definition of addiction varies within the industry.
Morse & Flavin’s (1992)
This definition of addiction represents the one traditionally utilized by treatment centers and substance abuse counselors. Published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (Vol. 68, No. 8), Morse & Flavin defined addiction thusly (paraphrased for simplicity):

Addiction is a primary, progressive, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over use of the substance, preoccupation with the substance, use of the substance despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking.

DSM IV (1994)
(Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders)
Note: This applies only to substance addiction and alcoholism
The DSM IV (1994) relies on symptoms for its definition. The DSM says that addiction, or dependence, is present in an individual who demonstrates any combination of three or more of the following symptoms (paraphrased for simplicity), occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

1 : Preoccupation with use of the chemical between periods of use.
2 : Using more of the chemical than had been anticipated.
3 : The development of tolerance to the chemical in question.
4 : A characteristic withdrawal syndrome from the chemical.
5 : Use of the chemical to avoid or control withdrawal symptoms.
6 : Repeated efforts to cut back or stop the drug use.
7 : Intoxication at inappropriate times (such as at work), or when withdrawal interferes with daily functioning (such as when hangover makes person too sick to go to work).
8 : A reduction in social, occupational or recreational activities in favor of further substance use.
9 : Continued substance use in spite of the individual having suffered social, emotional, financial or physical problems related to substance use.

process addiction
All of the above referencing, not a substance, but a behavior or activity, including, but not limited to, eating, sex, masturbation, gambling, spending/shopping, workaholism, codependency, relationships, love, romance, volunteerism, religion, status/money and emotions all of which encompass components of shame and control.

Wiki Articles
Love Obsession
Codependency/Relationship Addiction
Substance Abuse
Sexual Addiction
Gambling Addiction
Sugar Addiction
Compulsive Eating/Food Addiction
Phantom Pain

Mental Patterns
Personality Disorders Overview
Avoidant Personality
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Generalized Anxiety
Post Traumatic Stress
Psychological Trauma
Borderline Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Bi-Polar Disorder

think·ing
Pronunciation: thingk-ing
verb, thought, think·ing, adjective, noun
Function: verb (used without object)
1 : to have a conscious mind, to some extent of reasoning, remembering experiences, making rational decisions, etc.
2 : to employ one's mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with a given situation: Think carefully before you begin.
3 : to have a certain thing as the subject of one's thoughts: I was thinking about you. [We could think of nothing else.]
4 : to call something to one's conscious mind: [I couldn't think of his phone number.]
5 : to consider something as a possible action, choice, etc.: [She thought about cutting her hair.]
6 : to invent or conceive of something: [We thought of a new plan. ]
7 : to have consideration or regard for someone: [Think of others first.]
8 : to esteem a person or thing as indicated: [to think badly of someone.]
9 : to have a belief or opinion as indicated: [I think so.]
10 : (of a device or machine, esp. a computer) to use artificial intelligence to perform an activity analogous to human thought.
Function: verb (used with object)
11 :to have or form in the mind as an idea, conception, etc.
12 : to consider for evaluation or for possible action upon: [Think the deal over.]
]13 : to regard as specified: [He thought me unkind.[
14 : to believe to be true of someone or something: [to think evil of the neighbors.]
15 : to analyze or evolve rationally: [to think the problem out.]
16 : to have as a plan or intention: [I thought that I would go.]
76 : to anticipate or expect: [I did not think to find you here.]

Source: Dictionary.com

feel·ings
Pronunciation: fēl-ings
v. felt (fělt), feel·ing, feels
Function: verb
1 : To perceive through the sense of touch: [feel the velvety smoothness of a peach.]
2 : To perceive as a physical sensation: [feel a sharp pain; feel the cold.]
3 : To touch.
4 : To examine by touching.
5 : To undergo the experience of: felt my interest rising; felt great joy.
6 : To be aware of; sense: felt the anger of the crowd.
7 : To be emotionally affected by: [She still feels the loss of her dog.]
8 : To be persuaded of (something) on the basis of intuition, emotion, or other indefinite grounds: [I feel that what the informant says may well be true.]
9 : To believe; think: [She felt his answer to be evasive.]

Source: American Heritage Dictionary

emo·tion
Pronunciation: i-'mO-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the affective aspect of consciousness
2 : a state of feeling
3 : a psychic and physical reaction [as anger or fear] subjectively experienced as feeling and physiologically involving changes that prepare the body for action

Source: Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary

be·lief
Pronunciation: bi-leef
Function: noun
1 : something believed; an opinion or conviction: [a belief that the earth is flat.]
2 : confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof: [a statement unworthy of belief.]
3 : confidence; faith; trust: a child's belief in his parents.
4 : a religious tenet or tenets; religious creed or faith: [the Christian belief.]

in·tu·i·tion
Pronunciation: ĭn'tōō-ĭsh'ən, -tyōō-
Function: noun
1 : The act or faculty of knowing or sensing without the use of rational processes; immediate cognition.
2 : Knowledge gained by the use of this faculty; a perceptive insight.
3 : A sense of something not evident or deducible; an impression.

soul
Pronunciation Key: sōl
Function: noun
1 : The animating and vital principle in humans, credited with the faculties of thought, action, and emotion and often conceived as an immaterial entity.
2 : The spiritual nature of humans, regarded as immortal, separable from the body at death, and susceptible to happiness or misery in a future state.
3 : The disembodied spirit of a dead human.
4 : A human: ["the homes of some nine hundred souls" (Garrison Keillor).]
5 : The central or integral part; the vital core: ["It saddens me that this network ... may lose its soul, which is after all the quest for news" (Marvin Kalb).]
6 : A person considered as the perfect embodiment of an intangible quality; a personification: [I am the very soul of discretion.]
7 : A person's emotional or moral nature: ["An actor is ... often a soul which wishes to reveal itself to the world but dare not" (Alec Guinness).]
8 : A strong, deeply felt emotion conveyed by a speaker, a performer, or an artist.
9 : Soul music.

will
Pronunciation Key: wil
Pronunciation noun, verb, willed, will·ing.
Function: noun
1 : the faculty of conscious and especially of deliberate action; the power of control the mind has over its own actions: the freedom of the will.
2 : power of choosing one's own actions: [to have a strong or a weak will.]
3 : the act or process of using or asserting one's choice; volition: [My hands are obedient to my will.]
4 : wish or desire: [to submit against one's will.]
5 : purpose or determination, often hearty or stubborn determination; willfulness: [to have the will to succeed.]
6 : the wish or purpose as carried out, or to be carried out: to work one's will.
7 : disposition, whether good or ill, toward another.
8 : Law. a. a legal declaration of a person's wishes as to the disposition of his or her property or estate after death, usually written and signed by the testator and attested by witnesses. b. the document containing such a declaration.

Function: verb (used with object)
9 : to decide, bring about, or attempt to effect or bring about by an act of the will: [He can walk if he wills it.]
10 : to purpose, determine on, or elect, by an act of will: [If he wills success, he can find it.]
11 : to give or dispose of (property) by a will or testament; bequeath or devise.
12 : to influence by exerting will power: [She was willed to walk the tightrope by the hypnotist.]
Function: verb (used without object)
13 : to exercise the will: [To will is not enough, one must do.]
14 : to decide or determine: [Others debate, but the king wills.]

Source: American Heritage Dictionary

spir·it
Pronunciation: spĭr'ĭt
Function: noun
1 : The vital principle or animating force within living beings.
2 : Incorporeal consciousness.
3 : A being inhabiting or embodying a particular place, object, or natural phenomenon.
4 : A fairy or sprite.
5 : The part of a human associated with the mind, will, and feelings: [Though unable to join us today, they are with us in spirit.]
6 : The essential nature of a person or group.
7 : An inclination or tendency of a specified kind: Her actions show a generous spirit.
8 : A causative, activating, or essential principle: The couple's engagement was announced in a joyous spirit.
19 : The soul, considered as departing from the body of a person at death.
10 : Spirit, The Holy Spirit.
11 : A supernatural being, as: angel, demon, faerie, sprite or elf
12 : The essential nature of a person or group.
13 : A person as characterized by a stated quality: [He is a proud spirit.]

spirits
21 : A mood or an emotional state: [The guests were in high spirits. His sour spirits put a damper on the gathering.]
22 : An alcohol solution of an essential or volatile substance. Often used in the plural with a singular verb.
23 : An alcoholic beverage, especially distilled liquor.

Source: American Heritage Dictionary

choice
Pronunciation: chois
Function: noun
1 : The act of choosing; selection.
2 : The power, right, or liberty to choose; option.
3 : One that is chosen.
4 : A number or variety from which to choose: [a wide choice of styles and colors.]
5 : The best or most preferable part.
6 : Care in choosing.
7 : An alternative.

Source: American Heritage Dictionary