10 CRITERIA FOR ADDICTION
1) Loss of control: clear behaviour in which you do more than you intend or want.
2) Compulsive behaviour : a pattern of out of control behaviour over time.
3) Efforts to stop: repeated specific attempts to stop the behaviour which fail.
4) Loss of time: significant amounts of time lost doing and/or recovering from the behaviour.
5) Preoccupation: obsessing about or because of the behaviour.
6) Inability to fulfil obligations: the behaviour interferes with work, school, family, and friends.
7) Continuation despite consequences: failure to stop the behaviour even
though you have problems because of it (social, legal, financial, physical).
8) Escalation: need to make behaviour more intense, more frequent, or more risky.
9) Losses: losing, limiting, or sacrificing valued parts of life such as hobbies, family, relationships and work.
10) Withdrawl: stopping behaviour causes considerable distress, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, or physical discomfort.