Addicts tend to present themselves as being addicted to one particular substance or repetitive behavior pattern. The primary addiction is one that feels most unacceptable to them for personal, cultural and other reasons.

Once treatment has started, client's often realise that addictive behavior is reflected in other aspects of their lives. Many people suffer with multiple addictions. After presenting with initial symptoms of alcohol and drug addiction, they may realize that equally powerful compulsions control their sexual and gambling behaviors. Sex addiction is often only admitted to, when it becomes an inevitable consequence of the rehabilitation process.

Addiction will be diagnosed if the following three points are true. New forms of addiction are recognised daily, often to things that other people use daily, for perfectly innocent and constructive purposes. Those with addictive personalities may experience problems with activities and substances that represent the very essence of life such as sex, body and food.

The problem is with addiction and not addictive substances although some have greater capacity for abuse. Whatever the addiction is to an addict follows the same pattern of behavior:

1. Loss of control
2. Continuing with the addictive behaviour despite the negative consequences
3. Pre-occupation with the addiction

In most cases addiction manifests through a whole range of compulsively obsessive patterns of behavior.