A behavioral addiction may be hard to discover; however, it can be as bad as substance abuse as it can take over one’s life. The prevalence of behavior addiction is noted to be 11.1% (95% CI: 5.4 to 16.8%). These types of addictions may be due to a compulsive need to do a certain activity or use something. The instant reward from these activities can make the brain dependent on them, leading to addiction.
A person may be addicted to the feelings attached to these activities and things. Participation in such behaviors may reach a point where the person cannot lead a normal life or function as needed. It can have a negative impact on the individual and their loved ones. The result may be isolation, physical and mental struggles.
This article will discuss behavioral health, addiction, types, and risk factors. Also, find out how to deal with symptoms and recover from such addictions.
What Is Behavioral Addiction?
The behavioral psychology addiction definition is termed a non substance addiction with a compulsive and problematic series of actions/processes to get a reward while ignoring the negative consequences.
The brain’s reward chemical, dopamine, may lead people to participate in such behaviors despite the risks. Dopamine is strongly related to the reward pathway and addiction formation by forcing a person to stay engaged in an activity. The lack of substance in such addictions makes them harder to detect and treat.
Behavioral Addiction vs. Substance Addiction
Behavioral addiction is different from substance addiction, as the former does not involve the use of substances such as drugs or alcohol. Substance addiction may cause physical withdrawal in an individual; however, behavioral addiction may not impact someone in the same way. Instead, there will be a psychological withdrawal from this addiction.
| Addiction Type | Substance Use | Physical Dependence | Withdrawal Symptoms |
| Behavioral addiction | No | No | Mental symptoms (anxiety, irritation) |
| Substance addiction | Yes | Yes | Physical and mental (Headache, nausea, anxiety, tremors) |
Causes and Risk Factors
There are complex causes when it comes to behavioral addiction, so there isn’t one single reason why one may have behavioral addiction. You may learn about process addiction vs substance addiction based on their causes. A more impulsive person may develop a behavioral addiction. In addition, a person who has suffered abuse or trauma may also be in the same boat.
We’ll discuss biological, mental, and societal causes and risk factors below.
- Biological factors: These include genetics, brain chemistry, and gender. Certain people with a history of addictions in their family may be predisposed. Besides, an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain may make activities more addictive. Men are more likely to develop gambling addictions in comparison to women. On the other hand, women are more likely to develop social media and retail therapy addictions.
- Psychological factors: Some impulsive people, attention seekers, and those lacking self-control may be more likely to suffer from behavioral patterns. Anxiety, depression, and ADHD can also impact someone’s mental health and associated behaviors. Some people with stress may eat more and not even understand the basic food addiction causes.
- Environmental and social factors: Spending time with people who have such addictions may lead to peer influence. The added stress of life may also cause addictive patterns of behavior.
Signs and Symptoms
Common behavioral red flags can include engaging in addictive activities, emotional dependence on results, and neglecting the repercussions.
- Behavioral signs: The behavioral signs may range from losing control to neglecting one’s responsibility in life. A person who’s addicted may be preoccupied with the thoughts and execution of the behavior all day. They may prioritize that activity over everything else.
- Psychological symptoms: The person may experience sudden changes in mood depending on how much they engage in that specific behavior. They may become irritable due to the lack of it.
- Physical symptoms: A person may keep engaging in these behaviors and not sleep, leading to insomnia. They may also neglect self-care and health to get that dopamine high from that addictive action.
Behavioral addiction examples include:
- Spending excessive time on the behavior.
- Ignoring mental and physical health.
- Using behavior to cope with strong emotions.
- Hurting others when engaging in such behaviors.
- Constant denial and dangerous reactions.
- Continuing the behavior despite harm.
- Struggling to cut back.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop.
Types of Behavioral Addictions
Here are different types of addictions list explained below:
Gambling Addiction
This behavior is characterized by compulsive gambling. A person who is more prone to addiction may win a few times and get addicted to the pathological gambling world. The person will continue to do so after some time, even after many losses. It can lead to financial strain for an individual and their family.
Internet and Gaming Addiction
Many spend more than ten hours in front of a screen playing games and surfing the internet. With the availability of devices and the internet, this has become a growing concern. Gamers often brag about spending hours finishing a game. This can also lead to peer influence. Those who lack self-control and social interaction may develop a gaming and internet addiction.
Social Media Addiction
Compulsively checking Instagram and Facebook notifications and feeds is a sign of social media addiction. After uploading content, the person with an addiction will be glued to the screen to check all the activity in the post. Less engagement may affect their mood.
Sex and Pornography Addiction
It may arise from loneliness or dissatisfaction in one’s sexual life. The person may spend hours consuming porno and engaging in sexual activity. Some may also look for multiple engagements with different people.
Exercise Addiction
People with body dysmorphia and self-image issues may get addicted to exercise. They may cover up their addiction by saying they are spending time on fitness. However, their whole life may be consumed by exercise. Those who work out more may also have strained relationships with food and need help overcome food addiction.
Work Addiction
Lack of social life and unstable emotional health at home may lead to work addiction. A person who has strict financial goals may also suffer from workaholism.
Shopping Addiction
Maintaining social status, financial changes, and emotional stress can cause shopping addiction. The person will make impulsive purchases and try to hide them.
Tattoo Addiction
Have you seen a person who gets one tattoo and doesn’t stop getting them? These people are addicted to tattoos. The world’s most tattooed man has 97% of his body covered in tattoos. Some people who get influenced easily may try to achieve such standards, failing to look after their mental and physical health. This addiction may come as a surprise when searching what are different types of addiction, as people with tattoos are considered cool.
Love Addiction
Lonely people or those who are always chasing the high of new relationships may have a love addiction. Childhood neglect or abuse may lead them to look for love in codependent and unhealthy situations.
Addiction Types: Prevalence, Triggers, Symptoms, and Associated Behaviors
| Addiction Type | Prevalence | Common Triggers | Symptoms | Associated Behaviors |
| Gambling addiction | 1-2% | Excitement, financial strain | Money issues, chasing wins and losses | Borrowing money to gamble, lying about finances |
| Internet and gaming addiction | 1-8% | Social isolation, stress, and boredom | Irritable, isolation | Gaming in excess, lack of sleep |
| Social media addiction | 8-10% | Loneliness, lack of attention, social validation needs | Compulsive phone use, anxiety on less online engagement | Constantly posting and checking phone |
| Sex and pornographic addiction | 3-10% | Curiosity, stress, loneliness | Relationship problems, compulsive sexual activity | Infidelity, excessively watching porn |
| Exercise addiction | 3% | Stress, body dysmorphia | Fitness and gym obsession at all times | Always going to the gym, ignoring other activities |
| Work addiction | 15-25% | Financial stress, career pressure, comparison | Neglecting personal life, health problems | Long working hours |
| Shopping addiction | 3-16% | Social pressure, financial change, emotional stress | Guilt after shopping, financial debts | Hiding shopping bags, neglecting finances |
| Tattoo addiction | Less than 1% | Peer influence, identity | Appearance-related issues, regret, body dissatisfaction | Impulsive tattoos that don’t look good |
| Love addiction | 5-10% | low self-esteem and confidence, loneliness | Obsessing over partners, need for new partner | Neglecting mental health, co-dependent |
Consequences of Behavioral Addictions
Behavioral addiction can cause various issues in a person’s life. These consequences are often complex and can appear in different aspects of life.
- Personal Consequences: Many people with such addictions will prioritize these activities over other things in life. A person who gambles a lot or shops recklessly may have financial issues and debt. Someone who watches too much porn and exercises a lot may have relationship troubles. The unpaid bills and debt may also cause legal issues.
- Social Consequences: The impact of behavioral addiction can be seen in family and friends. They may get stressed and distanced upon seeing someone delving into such addictions. Children of parents who have gambling, work, or shopping addictions may suffer financially and mentally. An increase in crimes and thefts may lead to community issues.
- Health Consequences: A person who’s addicted to a certain behavior will ignore physical and mental health. Even with several problems, they may ignore themselves and their family. All the time can be spent chasing that high.
Diagnostic Tools and Questionnaires
It is important to diagnose behavioral addiction when you realize what’s happening or someone points you in the right direction. There’s no shame in accepting issues with your behavior. Here are some resources to check for behavioral addiction.
- Internet Addiction Test (IAT): The test was developed by Dr. Kimberly S. Young with 20 questions to check on internet use. It tells if internet use interferes with your life. A high score means it may be time to check for internet use.
- South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): This is a common screening test used to evaluate gambling addiction. There is a 20-item questionnaire-based test that tells if a person is at high or low risk of gambling addiction.
- Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale (BSAS): The test has a questionnaire with a scale to score. One can choose from very rarely to very often when shopping.
- Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST): This is a special tool to find out if someone is exhibiting feelings of compulsive sexual behavior. There are different sections on the test to score.
- Work Addiction Risk Test (WART): The test has been used in over 150 studies. This test evaluates whether someone is at risk of becoming a workaholic.
Treatment and Recovery
After discovering you have a behavioral addiction, it’s wise to go for a behavioral addiction treatment program or be mindful of making certain changes by yourself.
- Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy may help individuals identify the issue and make slow and sustainable changes in their behavior. They can prevent the triggers and manage urges to be involved in such behaviors. Moreover, interventions and family therapy may be another solution if more than one person is impacted. They can set boundaries and communicate. Joining support groups can also give someone hope in overcoming their addiction.
- Medication: Professionals may prescribe medication for dealing with symptoms and multiple addiction issues. They may help manage stress, anxiety, and depression, which often cause behavioral issues.
- Self-help strategies: Reading books, listening to podcasts, and developing healthy coping mechanisms can relax an individual. These lifestyle changes may remove addiction triggers from their life.
- Prevention and awareness campaigns: Education around behavioral addiction is needed so one can figure out what to do sooner. Early signs of addiction can be identified this way before it becomes a full-blown addiction.
Conclusion
The first step in behavioral addiction is acceptance. When a person acknowledges the problem, there is a better chance of getting over such behavioral addictions. Taking quizzes and attending a therapy session may lead to discovery. Due to the negative impact of such behaviors, one may suffer mentally, financially, and physically.
To have a healthy and quality life, one must address such behaviors and prevent them from becoming a huge issue. A comprehensive approach is an effective solution for dealing with compulsive behaviors. Cognitive behavior therapy, certain medications, and joining support groups can help in overcoming such problems. Delete shopping apps from your phone and also look for online shopping addiction help.
