Anything that stimulates excitement or pleasure can
contribute to the development of an addiction. Although most people think of
drugs or alcohol when they think of addiction, there are other types of
addictions that experts call behavioral addictions. These are addictions that
involve a behavior versus a substance. For instance, a person can be addicted
to shopping, the thrill of gambling, or the pleasure of having sex. When a
person engages in a particular behavior in order to access pleasure or stimulation,
there is always the possibility that that behavior might be addictive. And when
a habitual behavior (such as regular gambling) becomes an obligation, it has
become an addiction.
An obligation in this case means that a person feels like he
or she needs to engage in that
behavior and that a person cannot stop. Whether it is with a behavior or a
substance, when a person loses the ability to stop, there's a good chance that
an addiction has set in. In fact, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), an
addiction is anything an individual has lost power over. The American
Psychiatric Association, the publishers of the DSM, have finally included
behavioral addictions in this reference manual. The DSM now includes
non-substance addictions, such as Internet use, and any other behavior that
brings a rush of pleasure to the brain.
When the brain is stimulated by a particular activity that
brings excitement, it fills with dopamine, which feels pleasurable. Over time,
as one continues to engage in that activity, there is a dependency that slowly
develops upon those feelings of pleasure. In fact, this can become so strong
that an addiction can develop such that it affects one's functioning at home or
work. If you notice your performance at work declining or a neglect of family
or household responsibilities, perhaps there's an addiction. In addition to not
being able to stop, another classic symptom of addiction is the continued use
of a drug, or in this case a behavior, to the exclusion of other
life-activities.
Although the similarities and differences might be obvious
between substance addictions and behavioral addictions, some experts have
pointed them out in order to provide the best treatment. For instance, a
behavioral addiction such as gambling is similar to drug addiction with the
exception that a person does not have to endure any of the physical ailments
that an addiction to heroin, for example, might create. With gambling and other
behavioral addictions, a person is created to the feeling that is brought about
by the behavior. With a drug or alcohol addiction, a person might experience
physical signs of substance use, such as red eyes, wounded arms (from
injections), red nostrils (from snorting substances), high levels of anxiety or
paranoia, and other signs of drug or alcohol use. While it might seem obvious
that a behavioral addiction would not have any of these signs, experts have
stated that there are certain symptoms that are noticeable. For instance, a
person might show signs of anxiety, depression, paranoia, or fear.
Furthermore, those who experience
behavioral addictions might experience the same consequences, such as neglect
of work, social, or family responsibilities. A person with this type of
addiction might also experience certain obsessions and engage in other obsessive
behaviors.
If you or someone you know is experiencing an addiction,
whether it is behavioral or a substance addiction, contact a mental health
provider today.
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