Addiction can take many forms. When most people think of an addict they envision someone who has a problem with drugs or alcohol, but these individuals just make up a small percentage of the addict population. It is possible to develop an addiction to food, shopping, gambling, sex, and even love. The substance or activity that causes the addiction stimulates the pleasure center of the brain and causes feelings of well being or euphoria. Someone who is addicted to shopping will have the same chemical changes and altered brain activity as someone addicted to heroin or alcohol. It is possible to overcome addiction but in order to achieve this goal the individual must receive proper treatment and rehabilitation. Addiction can ruin lives and even cause death in some cases yet this is a problem that far too many are reluctant to admit to or discuss due to a stigma that is attached to addiction.