The significant importance of social determinants in relation to health and disease in general is no longer doubted today. Therefore, this chapter discusses the phases of addiction development with a focus on social aspects and presents the most important substance-related and behavioral addictions, supplemented by epidemiological data on the prevalence of these forms of addiction in our society. In addition to the diagnosis of addiction in the social focus (including social history), the various explanatory models of addiction are explained and the addiction aid system in all its facets (addiction prevention, counseling, treatment, accompaniment) is illuminated. This is completed by a presentation of the conceptual approaches of addiction self-help and an overview of the addiction self-help groups in Germany. The chapter concludes with the diversity approach in addiction, which allows a more precise definition of target groups and a stronger consideration of their diversity (life course approach, gender-oriented addiction work and addiction and transculturality).