Addiction: a disease of volition caused by a cognitive impairment.

The common etiology of substance and behavioural addictions is one that suggests faulty volition caused by a cognitive impairment. A cognitive impairment that minimizes the recall of the negative effects of the addictive behaviour is viewed as necessary and causal to all addictions. The proposed definition for addiction clarifies the confusion associated with addictive disorders, explains the many variable presentations, and provides an explanation of comorbidity and treatment outcomes. In addition, this paper suggests why this process has not been previously identified.