Internet addiction: a brief summary of research and practice. What is gambling disorder?Ĭash H, Rae CD, Steel AH, Winkler A. Clarifying exercise addiction: differential diagnosis, co-occurring disorders, and phases of addiction. Behavioral addictions as mental disorders: To be or not to be? Annu Rev Clin Psychol. Behavioral addiction versus substance addiction: Correspondence of psychiatric and psychological views. You may also consider talking to your healthcare provider about the potential benefits of lifestyle changes for behavioral addiction.Īlavi SS, Ferdosi M, Jannatifard F, Eslami M, Alaghemandan H, Setare M. Other treatments: Other methods, including couples or family counseling, may be additionally helpful to address and resolve problems contributing to or enabling certain behaviors.Medications: There are no approved medications for treating specific behavioral addictions, but some research suggests SSRI antidepressants may have some benefits for addressing addictive behaviors.Twelve-step groups for behavioral addictions like gambling have been as successful as 12-step groups for substance use disorders. There are 12-step recovery groups for addictions like shopping ( Spenders Anonymous) and non-12-step groups including Shopping Addiction Support Group which has nearly 39,000 virtual members. Group therapy: Group therapy for behavioral addictions offers peer support that helps a person feel less alone and connected to a community.Identifying false beliefs and triggers and coming up with alternative, healthier behaviors as a way of coping with feelings are central to the process. Cognitive behavioral therapy: This type of psychotherapy is used for addiction to help a person understand and change the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Warning signs of compulsive gambling