Behavioral addiction treatment

Overview

Behavioral addiction, also known as process addiction, is a form of addiction that involves a compulsion to engage in a rewarding non-substance-related behavior despite any negative consequences to the individual's physical, mental, social or financial well-being. Common examples of behavioral addictions include gambling, sex, food, internet, video games, and shopping addictions. The behavior stimulates the reward system in the brain, leading to feelings of pleasure or relief. Over time, the individual may need to engage in the behavior more frequently or intensely to achieve the same effect, a pattern that is similar to what happens with substance addiction. Behavioral addictions can have severe consequences, affecting various aspects of an individual's life. They can lead to financial difficulties, relationship problems, mental health issues like depression or anxiety, and physical health problems, depending on the type of behavior. Furthermore, people with behavioral addictions are at a higher risk of also developing substance addictions and vice versa. This is because both types of addictions share similar underlying causes and effects on the brain's reward system.