Does addiction require daily use?

Addiction does not require daily use. A person can have a substance use disorder even if they use intermittently, as long as there is a pattern of impaired control, cravings, and continued use despite harm. The defining issue is not frequency, but whether use has become difficult to regulate and is causing negative consequences.

Some individuals use in cycles—periods of abstinence followed by episodes of heavy or uncontrolled use. These patterns can still meet clinical criteria if they involve loss of control, risky use, or disruption to health, responsibilities, or relationships.

Focusing only on how often someone uses can be misleading. Addiction is best understood as a pattern of behavior and consequences over time rather than a fixed schedule of use.