Addiction vs. Habit — What's the Difference?

A condition characterized by negative consequences.

An acquired behavior pattern.

A psychological and often physical dependence on a substance or activity.

A tendency or disposition.

An overwhelming desire or need.

A habit (or wont as a humorous and formal term) is a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously.The American Journal of Psychology (1903) defined a "habit, from the standpoint of psychology, [as] a more or less fixed way of thinking, willing, or feeling acquired through previous repetition of a mental experience." Habitual behavior often goes unnoticed in persons exhibiting it, because a person does not need to engage in self-analysis when undertaking routine tasks. Habits are sometimes compulsory.

A compulsive need for and use of a substance.

A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up

A chronic disease of the brain reward system.

A long, loose garment worn by a member of a religious order

Addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. Despite the involvement of a number of psychosocial factors, a biological process—one that is induced by repeated exposure to an addictive stimulus—is the core pathology that drives the development and maintenance of an addiction, according to the "brain disease model" of addiction.

A person's health or constitution

A condition involving use of a substance, such as a drug or alcohol, or engagement in a behavior, such as gambling, in which a person has strong cravings, is unable to stop or limit the activity, continues the activity despite harmful consequences, and experiences distress upon discontinuance

Be dressed or clothed

The condition of being habitually occupied with or involved in something

A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition

The condition of using something on a regular or dependent basis

An established disposition of the mind or character

An instance of one of these conditions

Customary manner or practice

(medicine) A state that is characterized by compulsive drug use or compulsive engagement in rewarding behavior, despite negative consequences.

An addiction, especially to a narcotic drug.

The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination.

Characteristic appearance, form, or manner of growth, especially of a plant or crystal

A habit or practice that damages, jeopardizes or shortens one's life but when ceased causes trauma.

A distinctive set of clothing or style of dressing, especially of a religious order.

A pathological relationship to mood altering experience that has life damaging consequences.

A riding habit.

The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination.

(Archaic) Physical constitution.

Being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)

To clothe; dress.

An abnormally strong craving

To clothe in a habit, especially a nun's habit.

(Roman law) a formal award by a court sentence of a thing or person to another (as of a debtor to his creditor); a surrender to a master;

An action performed on a regular basis.

An action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.

A long piece of clothing worn by monks and nuns.

A piece of clothing worn for a specific activity; a uniform.

(archaic) Outward appearance; attire; dress.

Form of growth or general appearance and structure of a variety or species of plant or crystal.

An addiction.

(transitive) To clothe.

To inhabit.

The usual condition or state of a person or thing, either natural or acquired, regarded as something had, possessed, and firmly retained; as, a religious habit; his habit is morose; elms have a spreading habit; esp., physical temperament or constitution; as, a full habit of body.

The general appearance and manner of life of a living organism.

Fixed or established custom; ordinary course of conduct; practice; usage; hence, prominently, the involuntary tendency or aptitude to perform certain actions which is acquired by their frequent repetition; as, habit is second nature; also, peculiar ways of acting; characteristic forms of behavior.

Outward appearance; attire; dress; hence, a garment; esp., a closely fitting garment or dress worn by ladies; as, a riding habit.

The distinctive clothing worn commonly by nuns or monks; as, in the late 1900's many orders of nuns discarded their habits and began to dress as ordinary lay women.

To inhabit.

To dress; to clothe; to array.

To accustom; to habituate.

An established custom;

A pattern of behavior acquired through frequent repetition;

(religion) a distinctive attire (as the costume of a religious order)

Excessive use of drugs

Put a habit on

A regular practice or behavior.

A customary manner of operation.

An established way of doing things.

Addiction is often harmful, leading to negative consequences like health issues.

Habit generally does not involve withdrawal symptoms.

Addiction is a compulsive and often harmful dependence on a substance or activity.

Habit is a regular practice or tendency that is not necessarily harmful.

Addiction often requires medical intervention and possibly medication.

Many consider addiction to be a medical condition requiring treatment.

Habit is not inherently bad and can often be positive, like exercising regularly.

A habit can evolve into an addiction if it becomes compulsive and harmful.

Habit is usually changed through willpower and does not require medical treatment.

Habit is considered a behavioral pattern that can be changed.

Yes, addiction often involves withdrawal symptoms.

Addiction can also involve activities, like gambling or shopping.

Habit is not considered a medical condition.

Addiction is often viewed as a disease requiring treatment.

Yes, habits can be positive, like maintaining a balanced diet or exercising.