Treatment providers are waiting for your call:
(833) 303-1467
Twelve Oaks Recovery Center
Navarre, FL
View Center ⟶
Featured Podcast
Episode 21 – Social Media Addiction
Read More ⟶
A Crisis On World Mental Health Day
Read More ⟶
Common Questions About Rehab
Featured Articles
Introducing Dr. Ashish Bhatt
Read More ⟶
CDC Releases New Opioid Prescription Guidelines
Read More ⟶
Start the road to recovery
Treatment Center Locator
Find Out How ⟶
Get confidential help 24/7. Call now for:
Find Out
Addiction Center is not affiliated with any insurance.
Have a confidential, completely free conversation with a treatment provider about your financial options.
Get professional rehab and addiction education from a qualified doctor today!
Learn More ⟶
According to Science Direct, behavioral addictions are defined as, “an intense desire to repeat some action that is pleasurable or perceived to improve wellbeing or capable of alleviating some personal distress.” What classifies some behaviors as addictive is the difficultly those affected have with stopping or reducing their participation in it. Some motivating factors for behavioral addictions include the perception of temporary decreased depression and anxiety, making it a seemingly logical way to achieve calm or happiness. For example, gambling addiction lights up similar parts of the brain as some drugs, providing a dopamine rush to the user or player.
Sex addiction impacts the brain in similar ways to gambling addictions, and much like substance abuse treatment, joining a 12-step program can be a useful method for treatment. Sex, pornography, or masturbation-based addictions can endanger the individual by complicating relationships, or possibly bringing unwanted pregnancies or STIs. They may struggle to gain control of their sexual behavior, followed by shame or regret. The inability to stop compulsions associated with behavioral addiction often signals a possible addiction.
Reach out to a treatment provider for free today.
Make a Call (833) 303-1467
– OR –
Individuals can form behavioral addictions similar to a dependence on drugs and alcohol to combat anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders. Increases in drug and alcohol use have signaled that many people are abusing harmful chemicals; however, some don’t factor in non-substance addictions like food, sex, phone, video game, or gambling addiction, which often manifest as a behavioral addiction due to underlying mental health challenges. Those who become addicted to specific activities seek out feelings of comfort, happiness, and chemical releases (dopamine and serotonin) or can form behavioral addictions to escape reality or painful emotions. Some of the most common types of behavioral addictions are:
Although these are the most common types of behavioral addictions, compulsive stealing (kleptomania), love and relationship addiction, overworking, compulsive skin and hair picking, and excessive television use and exercise are also listed as behavioral addictions.
Find Out
Addiction Center is not affiliated with any insurance.
Chattanooga, TN
View Center
Edwards, CO
View Center
According to the US National Library of Medicine, behavioral addictions, “resemble substance abuse addictions,” in reference to the impact on the brain and their response to treatment. Individuals often struggle to resist urges or temptations to reduce or stop behaviors that may be addictive to them, elicit arousal before completing them, and bring pleasure while doing them. Areas of concern can include the feelings of guilt or embarrassment after completing the activity. This is similar in individuals abusing harmful chemicals. Individuals abusing substances have extreme difficulty resisting the urge or temptation to use the drug and may feel pleasure from using the drug. Consequently, he or she may feel shame after completing the activity, and may lie about it or hide it.
Because behavioral addictions impact the part of the brain responsible for rewards, individuals can experience similar effects one would feel if they were abusing a substance. This can translate to troubled relationships, challenges with impulse control, obsessions, distractions, and financial challenges. Treatment methods used for substance abuse can be helpful in treating behavioral addictions. Twelve step groups may be of use, along with anxiety or depression medications if these are at the root of the behavioral addiction. Additional treatment methods like meditation, SMART recovery strategies, and counseling can potentially benefit those who may struggle with a behavioral addiction.
You have options. Talk about them with a treatment provider today.
(833) 303-1467
Someone engaging in activities like gambling and video games doesn’t necessarily signal an addiction. However, if it impacts their everyday life and becomes a crutch for underlying mental and emotional problems, it may need closer examination. Addictions occur when someone needs large amounts or constant exposure to the stimuli. Those with a behavioral addiction will constantly seek the thrill or rush of endorphins by frequent and increased activity. Secondly, behavioral addictions become serious if the individual cannot control or stop the activity. Signs of behavioral addiction include, but are not limited to:
For gambling or shopping addiction, individuals can suffer severe financial consequences. This can become a problem if they try to use loved ones for extra financial support. Additionally, they can max out credit cards and incur debt because of their addiction. For cases of video game and phone addiction, addictive patterns can get in the way of close relationships. The individuals can become distracted, using it as an escape from the challenges of daily life to fix loneliness, stress, or fill other voids. Individuals with concerns can seek treatment by contacting a treatment provider.
While controlling compulsions can seem impossible, there are several options for recovery. The first step is to acknowledge the challenges behavioral addictions can cause, along with the need for help. This can help one to take control of their life. There is support available after taking the first step toward recovery. Contact a treatment provider today and start your journey.
Last Edited: January 11, 2022
Krystina Murray
Krystina Murray has received a B.A. in English at Georgia State University, has over 5 years of professional writing and editing experience, and over 15 years of overall writing experience. She enjoys traveling, fitness, crafting, and spreading awareness of addiction recovery to help people transform their lives.
Clinically Reviewed: December 2, 2021
David Hampton
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
David embarked on his journey into sobriety in June of 2005, which led him to his current career path as a Certified Professional Addiction Recovery Coach in private practice in Greater Nashville. David is also a public speaker and the author of two books. David is cohost of the weekly Positive Sobriety Podcast, as well as being a frequent contributor to various articles and recovery based materials. As a member of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), David works closely with Nashville area treatment centers, nonprofit recovery organizations, and consulting with faith-based groups trying to bridge the gap between the recovery communities and faith-based organizations who wish to understand addiction.
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Verify Here
Addiction Center supports SAMHSA
Addiction Center receives advertising payments from the treatment centers that answer calls to the toll free numbers listed on the websites and is not associated with any specific treatment provider. Addiction Center receives advertising payments from the treatment providers that respond to chat requests on the websites and is not associated with any specific treatment provider. Addiction Center is not a medical provider or treatment facility and does not provide medical advice. Addiction Center does not endorse any treatment facility or guarantee the quality of care provided, or the results to be achieved, by any treatment facility. The information provided by Addiction Center is not a substitute for professional treatment advice.
Confidentially speak with a treatment provider:
Call (833) 303-1467
A treatment facility paid to have their center promoted here. Learn more about how to be featured in a paid listing.
Treatment providers are available to offer 24/7 assistance:
Make a Call (833) 303-1467
– Or –
Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to the website’s main phone number will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed below, each of which is a paid advertiser:
Chats will be received and answered by one of treatment providers listed below, each of which is a paid advertiser:
Payment Options
Levels of Care
Mental Health
Substances
