Described as a return to the band's punk rock roots, it was recorded at Atlas Studios in their hometown of Chicago with Matt Allison, the same location and producer used for much of their early material.

The album draws lyrical inspiration from the band members' personal lives, addressing themes such as love, addiction, death, divorce, grief, suicide, politics, and war.

[1] Skiba explained that "we used our soundcheck basically as pre-production" and stated that the band would choose the ten best songs and "record them lickety-split in July".

"[8] During the Summer and Fall of 2009 both Skiba and Andriano worked on solo projects: Skiba recorded a solo album entitled Demos for the band's early label Asian Man Records, which was originally scheduled for a February 2010 release but was pushed back until after the release of the new Alkaline Trio album.

[8] Skiba noted that reconnecting with these and other friends in the Chicago music scene allowed their punk rock influences to seep into the new Alkaline Trio album even more.

[4] Musically, Skiba has cited the influence of fellow Chicago punk bands Screeching Weasel, Pegboy, and Naked Raygun on This Addiction's sound.

[2][4] Discussing other specific songs on the album, Skiba mentioned that the title track uses heroin and methadone addiction as a metaphor for love, stating that "It's a human condition that I think we all, in one way or another, fall victim to.

[23][31] It was released in several versions, including a standard eleven-track compact disc and digital download, a limited Deluxe Edition with six bonus tracks and a full-length concert DVD recorded at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008, and a gatefold LP.

"[6] Skiba's vocals received more criticism: Beringer stated that "some of [his] weakest material shows up here" and that he "sounds awesome on the title track and 'The American Scream', [but] falls flat on blunders like 'Draculina' and 'Piss and Vinegar.

'"[20] Heisel criticised Skiba for "[falling] back too frequently on his well-worn lyrical themes of drugs (the title track) and death ('The American Scream').

Rob Hope of Rock Lifestyle said of these elements that "At first you may jump back and scratch your head, but after a few listens you realize it's pulled off well and is quite likeable.

"[40] Beringer remarked that the horns "fill the background nicely", while Heisel felt that "The goofy, NOFX-esque trumpet solo [...] turns a decent song into a throwaway track".

[6] He singled out "Dead on the Floor" as the album's finest track, calling it "a not-too-distant musical cousin from Goddamnit's 'San Francisco', with some of Skiba's most heartbroken lyrics.

"[20] Heisel concluded that "while This Addiction might not be perfect, it's a more than respectable entry into the band's already sizeable canon, proving that though they may be in that rarified group of punk-rock lifers, Alkaline Trio aren't done evolving yet.

"[6] Apar stated that although the album was purported to be a return to the early sound of Goddamnit, he found it more comparable to From Here to Infirmary "since the end result is still the same polished album full of vaguely gothic and bloody references where characters like Draculina live -- no real bitterness, sore-throat defiance, or endearing heartache to be found.

"[10] Though complimenting "This Addiction" and "Off the Map" as strong songs, he felt that the album failed to live up to its expectations as a return to roots: "Alkaline Trio just can't seem to recapture the spirit of their early days, when purpose and emotion fueled every note.

Instead, one is left with totally competent -- and at times, yes, catchy -- songs that ring just a bit too hollow compared to the urgent leave-it-all-on-the-floor guts of those earliest releases [...] despite the polished and punchy singalong choruses, This Addiction is really just more of the same recycled melodies from the Trio rather than any sort of rebirth.

"[10] Andrew Kelham of Rock Sound agreed that the album did not succeed in recapturing the band's early sound, but was a strong effort nonetheless: "Alkaline Trio aren't naïve punk rockers from the Chicago suburbs anymore, as a result this album fails to recapture that innocence but succeeds in creating another strong body of work that the group can be proud of.

"[41] Mikael Wood of Spin remarked that the "cozier confines" of an independent label "appear to have put the band at ease" and that their "hooky, blood-soaked bad-love allegories [...] satisfy like heartburn-inducing comfort food.

"[43] French concluded that "This Addiction isn't so much a 'return to form,' but rather a summary--a sonic scrapbook of sorts that carefully documents their entire career, from sour home Chicago to the dressing rooms of Late Night with Conan O'Brien.