People often use idioms, which are phrases that don’t mean what they literally say, to talk about addiction.
In this article, we’ll explore some common idioms related to addiction, explain what they mean, and provide examples of how they can be used in sentences.
What is an idiom for addiction?
Idioms are expressions that have a figurative or non-literal meaning, and they can be a fun way to describe complex situations like addiction.
Here are some idioms related to addiction, along with their meanings and examples of how they can be used:
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Hooked | Addicted or strongly attracted to something | He’s been hooked on video games for years. |
| On the wagon | To stop using drugs or alcohol and live sober | After hitting rock bottom, she got on the wagon. |
| Cold turkey | Quitting something suddenly and completely | He decided to quit smoking cold turkey. |
| Kick the habit | Breaking free from a long-standing addiction | He managed to kick the habit of overeating. |
| Chasing the dragon | Pursuing an elusive and euphoric high | He started chasing the dragon but only worsened. |
| Going through withdrawal | Experiencing symptoms after quitting a drug | She couldn’t work due to withdrawal symptoms. |
| Hitting rock bottom | Reaching the lowest point in addiction | He realized he had hit rock bottom and needed help. |
| Dope fiend | Derogatory term for a drug addict | He used to be a dope fiend but is now in recovery. |
| Junkie | Slang term for a drug addict | The neighborhood had a problem with junkies. |
| In the throes of addiction | Deeply consumed by addiction | She was in the throes of addiction. |
| Riding the white horse | Being under the influence of heroin | He spent years riding the white horse. |
| Shooting up | Injecting drugs with a syringe | He was caught shooting up in a restroom. |
| Strung out | Feeling drained due to drug use or addiction | After continuous drug use, he was completely strung out. |
| Jonesing | Intense cravings for a drug | He was jonesing for a fix and couldn’t focus. |
| Feeding the monkey | Continuing to use drugs or feed an addiction | He kept feeding the monkey despite the risks. |
| Chain smoking | Smoking one cigarette after another in succession | She would start chain smoking when stressed. |
| Falling off the wagon | Relapsing after a period of abstinence | Sadly, he fell off the wagon and started using again. |
| High as a kite | Under the influence, feeling euphoric or intoxicated | After taking medication, he felt high as a kite. |
| Fiending | Desperately craving a drug | He was fiending for cocaine and couldn’t resist. |
| Craving a fix | Strongly desiring a dose of drugs or fix | Despite trying to quit, he craved a fix. |
| Going clean | Deciding to stop using drugs and seek sobriety | She was determined to go clean and turn her life around. |
| Needle in the haystack | Extremely difficult to find or locate | Finding support in addiction recovery can be like finding a needle in a haystack. |
| Cross-addiction | Developing new addictions or substituting one | He overcame alcohol addiction but developed cross-addiction. |
| Habit-forming | Can lead to the development of a habit | Video games can be habit-forming if not played in moderation. |
| Drowning one’s sorrows | Using substances to cope with emotional pain | He resorted to drowning his sorrows in alcohol. |
| Lost in the sauce | Deeply involved in addictive behavior | He was lost in the sauce and unaware of the harm he caused. |
| Mainlining | Injecting drugs directly into a vein | Mainlining is associated with a high risk of overdose. |
Addiction is like a heavy chain that binds the soul, pulling it deeper into a never-ending abyss of craving and dependency. For more comparisons to describe addiction, you can check this link: Similes for addiction. And for a variety of metaphors related to addiction, you can explore this link: Metaphors for addiction.
Idioms for Addiction
1. Hooked
Meaning: To be addicted or strongly attracted to something.
In a Sentence: “He’s been hooked on video games for years; he can’t go a day without playing.”
2. On the wagon
Meaning: To stop using drugs or alcohol and start living a clean and sober life.
In a Sentence: “After hitting rock bottom, she decided to get on the wagon and seek help for her addiction.”
3. Cold turkey
Meaning: To quit something suddenly and completely, often referring to quitting a substance without tapering off.
In a Sentence: “He decided to quit smoking cold turkey and threw away all his cigarettes.”
4. Kick the habit
Meaning: To break free from a long-standing addiction or bad habit.
In a Sentence: “It took a lot of effort, but he finally managed to kick the habit of overeating junk food.”
5. Chasing the dragon
Meaning: A term often associated with heroin use, it refers to the pursuit of an elusive and euphoric high.
In a Sentence: “He started chasing the dragon, thinking he could recreate that initial feeling, but it only led to more problems.”
6. Going through withdrawal
Meaning: Experiencing the physical and psychological symptoms that occur when someone stops using a drug they’re addicted to.
In a Sentence: “She couldn’t work for a week because she was going through withdrawal after quitting opioids.”
7. Hitting rock bottom
Meaning: Reaching the lowest point in one’s life or addiction, often used to describe a turning point for seeking help.
In a Sentence: “After losing his job and his family, he realized he had hit rock bottom and needed to make changes.”
8. Dope fiend
Meaning: A derogatory term for a person who is addicted to drugs, especially heroin.
In a Sentence: “He used to be a dope fiend, but now he’s in recovery and doing much better.”
9. Junkie
Meaning: A slang term for someone who is addicted to drugs, usually referring to a heroin or opioid addiction.
In a Sentence: “The neighborhood had a problem with junkies, and they needed more support services.”
10. In the throes of addiction
Meaning: To be deeply consumed by addiction, often struggling with its grip.
In a Sentence: “She was in the throes of addiction and couldn’t see a way out.”
11. Riding the white horse
Meaning: Another term related to heroin use, it refers to being under the influence of the drug.
In a Sentence: “He spent years riding the white horse before he decided to get clean.”
12. Shooting up
Meaning: The act of injecting drugs, typically with a syringe.
In a Sentence: “He was caught shooting up in a public restroom, and that’s when he knew he needed help.”
13. Strung out
Meaning: Feeling physically and emotionally drained due to drug use or addiction.
In a Sentence: “After weeks of continuous drug use, he was completely strung out and needed detox.”
14. Jonesing
Meaning: To experience intense cravings for a drug or substance.
In a Sentence: “He was jonesing for a fix so badly that he couldn’t focus on anything else.”
15. Feeding the monkey
Meaning: Continuing to use drugs or feed one’s addiction.
In a Sentence: “Despite knowing the dangers, he kept feeding the monkey, unable to break free.”
16. Chain smoking
Meaning: Smoking one cigarette after another in quick succession.
In a Sentence: “When she was stressed, she would start chain smoking to cope.”
17. Falling off the wagon
Meaning: Relapsing and returning to addictive behavior after a period of abstinence.
In a Sentence: “He had been clean for a year but sadly fell off the wagon and started using again.”
18. High as a kite
Meaning: To be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, feeling euphoric or intoxicated.
In a Sentence: “After taking that medication, he felt high as a kite and couldn’t function properly.”
19. Fiending
Meaning: Desperately craving a drug or fix.
In a Sentence: “He was fiending for cocaine and would do anything to get his hands on it.”
20. Craving a fix
Meaning: Strongly desiring a dose of drugs or any addictive substance.
In a Sentence: “Even though he was trying to quit, he couldn’t resist craving a fix.”
21. Going clean
Meaning: Deciding to stop using drugs or engaging in addictive behavior and seeking sobriety.
In a Sentence: “She was determined to go clean and turn her life around.”
22. Needle in the haystack
Meaning: Referring to something extremely difficult to find or locate.
In a Sentence: “Finding a reliable source of support in addiction recovery can be like searching for a needle in the haystack.”
23. Cross-addiction
Meaning: Developing new addictions or substituting one addiction for another.
In a Sentence: “He managed to overcome his alcohol addiction but developed a cross-addiction to gambling.”
24. Habit-forming
Meaning: Referring to something that can lead to the development of a habit, especially a bad one.
In a Sentence: “Video games can be habit-forming if not played in moderation.”
25. Drowning one’s sorrows
Meaning: Using alcohol or drugs to cope with emotional pain or distress.
In a Sentence: “Instead of seeking help, he resorted to drowning his sorrows in alcohol.”
26. Lost in the sauce
Meaning: Being so deeply involved in addictive behavior that one loses touch with reality.
In a Sentence: “He was completely lost in the sauce and didn’t realize how much harm he was causing.”
27. Mainlining
Meaning: Injecting drugs directly into a vein, typically associated with intravenous drug use.
In a Sentence: “Mainlining can be extremely dangerous and is associated with a high risk of overdose.”
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1:
- What does the idiom “Hooked” mean?
a) To quit something suddenly
b) To be addicted or strongly attracted to something
c) To go through withdrawal
Quiz 2:
- When someone decides to stop using drugs or alcohol and live a sober life, they are said to be “__.”
a) Going through withdrawal
b) Chasing the dragon
c) On the wagon
Quiz 3:
- What does it mean to quit something suddenly and completely, often referring to quitting a substance without tapering off?
a) Chasing the dragon
b) Going through withdrawal
c) Cold turkey
Quiz 4:
- If someone manages to break free from a long-standing addiction, they have “__.”
a) Kicked the habit
b) Drowned their sorrows
c) Ridden the white horse
Quiz 5:
- What does the idiom “Dope fiend” refer to?
a) A person who is addicted to drugs, especially heroin
b) Someone who has overcome addiction
c) A medical professional
Quiz 6:
- To be deeply consumed by addiction and struggling with its grip is described as being “__.”
a) Riding the white horse
b) In the throes of addiction
c) Falling off the wagon
Quiz 7:
- What does “Feeding the monkey” mean?
a) Continuing to use drugs or feed one’s addiction
b) Overcoming addiction
c) Quitting a bad habit
Quiz 8:
- If someone is “Chain smoking,” what are they doing?
a) Smoking one cigarette after another in quick succession
b) Quitting smoking
c) Starting a new habit
Quiz 9:
- What does “Cross-addiction” refer to?
a) Developing new addictions or substituting one addiction for another
b) Quitting addiction entirely
c) A medical condition
Quiz 10:
- If someone is “Lost in the sauce,” what does it mean?
a) They are enjoying a delicious meal
b) They are deeply involved in addictive behavior and unaware of the harm they cause
c) They are very organized
Conclusion
Addiction is a challenging issue that affects individuals and their loved ones in many ways. These idioms provide insight into the struggles and experiences of those dealing with addiction.
