All addictions are essentially the same.
While the word addiction is, in fact, generally associated with the habitual use of drugs, we already have seen that addiction goes far beyond dependence on drugs, and even beyond dependence on substances in general. Besides the non-substance addictions already mentioned, there exist addictions to cruelty, to sex, to the Internet, and even to work. All of these non-substance activities have the capacity not only to get rid of the feeling of being controlled but also to enable the person to feel in control. This close association is one of the factors that can create confusion in understanding addictions. Take, for example, the case of smoking.