An Overview of Behavioral Addiction

Most people understand addiction when it comes to dependence on substances, such as alcohol, nicotine, illicit drugs, or even prescription medications, but have a hard time with the concept of addictive behaviors.

Behavioral addictions (also known as process addictions) follow the same pattern as substance-based addictions, creating problems in many areas of a person's life. They also have similar effects to substance addictions in relationships, which are often neglected in favor of the addictive behavior, undermining trust and putting pressure on partners and other family members to cover up and make up for difficulties that come about from the addiction.

Yet, it's also possible to develop a behavioral addiction. People can get hooked on everything from gambling to sex to the internet.

The Impact of a Behavioral Addiction

Even though they're not specifically labeled as addictions, compulsive behaviors can lead to real problems in our lives, functioning, and relationships. These behaviors can also cause severe stress and can be difficult to kick, even if we want to quit.

Often people with behavioral addictions eventually get tired of the toll their behavior takes on their lives and the lives of those around them. They may also suffer major losses such as money problems or relationship problems. What had at one time seemed exciting and fulfilling becomes an embarrassing burden.

Some activities are so normal that it's hard to believe people can become addicted to them. Yet the cycle of addiction can still take over, making everyday life a constant struggle. People may seek out more and more opportunities to engage in the behavior. The desire to experience a "high" from the behavior becomes so strong that they may continue to engage in it despite negative consequences.

In some cases, people can also experience withdrawal, including negative emotions and other symptoms, when they aren't able to engage in the activity.

What Are the Symptoms of Behavioral Addiction?

Understanding the addictive process and the danger signs can help us to tell the difference between addictive behavior, problematic behavior that's not an addiction, and normal behavior that's non-problematic.

Red flags include:

• Spending the majority of time engaging in the behavior, thinking about or arranging to engage in the behavior, or recovering from the effects
• Becoming dependent on the behavior as a way to cope with emotions and to "feel normal"
• Continuing despite physical and/or mental harm
• Having trouble cutting back despite wanting to stop
• Neglecting work, school, or family to engage in the behavior more often
• Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal (for example, depression or irritability) when trying to stop
• Minimizing or hiding the extent of the problem

What Are the Most Common Forms of Behavioral Addictions?

Outside the world of professional psychiatry and psychology, the media has embraced the concepts of behavioral addictions, such as sex addiction and shopping addiction, and has also categorized other behaviors such as self-injury and self-harm, and excessive plastic surgery as "addiction."

Some other common behavioral addictions include:

• Exercise addiction
• Food addiction
• Gambling addiction
• Internet addiction
• Love addiction
• Porn addiction
• Tattoo addiction
• Video game addiction
• Work addiction

So, How Is Behavioral Addiction Treated?

The good news is that treatments that have been developed to treat substance dependencies have also been successfully used to treat behavioral addictions. Addiction professionals are developing competencies to treat a range of addictions, and clinics exist that specialize in treating behavioral addictions.

We can also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist, who is skilled in helping people to overcome emotional difficulties and make changes in their lives.

Treatment may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Group therapy
• Medications
• One-on-one or couples counseling
• Self-help groups

How Do I Cope?

We know how difficult it can be to admit to ourselves, let alone someone else, that we have a problem. It can be even harder when the problem is poorly understood and may not be taken seriously by our friends and family. Understanding the stages of change can help us to be gentler on ourselves if we aren't ready to seek help.

If you don't want to seek help in overcoming your behavioral addiction at this time, focus on ensuring that your behavior doesn't harm you or those around you. Even if you don't want to tell other people about your problem, try not to lie to those closest to you.