TIME The Science of Addiction

Addiction continues to have a powerful impact on so many lives and families. Roughly 50 million Americans smoke, more than 16 million adults are addicted to alcohol, and the spiraling epidemic of opioid addiction took nearly 55,000 American lives in 2024. In addition to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, people are hooked on gambling, food, video games, sex, shopping, and their smartphones. Once considered a moral failing, addiction is now acknowledged as a disease that disrupts the pathways and processes that underlie desire, learning, emotional regulation, and cognition. This special edition of TIME explores the biological and environmental roots of addiction and examines how science is seeking to curb the cravings and help Americans kick the habit.