Behavioral Addiction

What Is a Behavioral Addiction?

A behavioral addiction happens when a person becomes obsessed with a specific activity and continues to do it despite the negative consequences it creates in their lives.

For example, someone with a shopping addiction will continue to shop even if they don’t have the funds or are significantly in debt due to their buying habits.

Currently, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) only officially recognizes one type of behavioral addiction: gambling disorder.

The APA explains that no other behavioral addictions appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5) because mental health professionals are still researching to define the specific criteria for these other non-substance addictions.

How Does Behavioral Addiction Work?

Both substance-related and behavioral addictions affect the same part of the brain that causes individuals to seek the same good feelings they get from performing a specific activity.

These substances or activities can activate specific neurotransmitters in the brain, releasing dopamine. Dopamine is our brain’s “feel-good” chemical and is tied to our brain’s reward center.

Over time, repeat substance abuse or continued non-substance behaviors make us dependent upon that substance or activity. They may need more of the substance or activity to feel the same effects.

Eventually, they can become so obsessed with that addictive substance or activity that they cannot stop—even if it causes problems in that person’s life.

Both alcohol addiction and drug addiction are classified as “substance use disorders.” Alternatively, non-substance behavioral addictions fall under “impulse control disorders.”

Common Types of Behavioral Addictions

As mentioned, gambling addiction is the only clinically-recognized behavioral addiction in the DSM-5, but several other types of behavioral addictions exist.

Thankfully, we have enough information about behavioral addictions to treat their symptoms and help individuals get back to living healthier, happier lives.

Some of the most common behavioral addictions include: 

• Gambling Addiction
• Video Game Addiction (a.k.a. Gaming Addiction or Compulsive Gaming Disorder)
• Social Media Addiction
• Sex Addiction
• Porn Addiction
• Food Addiction
• Shopping Addiction
• Exercise Addiction

Risk Factors for Developing a Behavioral Addiction

Research shows similarities in the causes of behavioral addiction and substance addiction. General risk factors include a combination of hereditary influences and existing mental health issues. However, each behavioral addiction type can have unique risks.

For example, data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions shows that gambling disorder is more common among people from lower-income households and among certain racial and ethnic minority groups, including Black and Native/Asian American populations.

Mental Health Issues

The connection between behavioral addictions and co-occurring mental health disorders shows up in research consistently. Individuals with pre-existing disorders known for impulsive features have an elevated risk of developing a behavioral addiction.

According to research published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, common comorbidities found in behavioral addictions include:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Social anxiety disorder
• Insomnia
• Eating disorders such as binge eating disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Antisocial personality disorder
• Other impulse control disorders such as hair-pulling (trichotillomania), pathological skin picking, and kleptomania

Individuals with these disorders may never develop a behavioral addiction, but the compulsive behaviors patients often experience put them at greater risk.

The presence of substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder also increases the risk of behavioral addiction.

Because addictive substances and addictive behaviors activate the same part of the brain, an addict may turn to behaviors when substances are unavailable to get the “high” they crave.

Hereditary Influences

Addictive disorders tend to run in families. Certain genes passed from a parent can put certain people more at risk for experiencing addiction in life.

In addition, these addictive behaviors may be taught through childhood, normalizing the problematic behavior.

For example, a child may grow up to have a gambling addiction because a parent or close family member was a gambler and glorified the lifestyle, never openly discussing how destructive it was.

Warning Signs of Behavioral Addiction

Like drug abuse, behavioral addiction causes cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This happens because the brain responds to certain behaviors—like gambling or gaming—with a surge of feel-good chemicals. When those behaviors stop, the brain reacts, leading to emotional and even physical distress.

Behavioral addiction can lead to both physical symptoms and noticeable changes in mood, behavior, or mental health.

Recognizing the signs of behavioral addiction can help you determine if someone needs support. While symptoms can vary depending on the specific addiction, there are some common physical, emotional, and behavioral red flags to look out for.

Physical signs of behavioral addiction include:

• Lack of effort in appearance or hygiene
• Withdrawal from social obligations
• Issues with money
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Upset stomach
• Diarrhea
• Muscle aches or cramps
• Heart racing or palpitations
• Chills or fever

Emotional and behavioral signs of behavioral addiction include:

• Intense cravings
• Excessive fixation on behavior
• Constantly asking for money and being unable to explain where money is going
• Anxiety
• Disrupted sleep and eating patterns
• Depression
• Restlessness
• Irritability

Negative Consequences of Behavioral Addictions

When left untreated, behavioral addictions can take a serious toll on a person’s physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, and financial stability. While they may not involve substance use, these addictions can still lead to long-term harm.

Common consequences of behavioral addictions include:

• Financial problems: Gambling and compulsive shopping can lead to severe debt, lost savings, and legal issues.
• Health risks: Food addiction may result in obesity, diabetes, or heart problems, while sex addiction can increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
• Social isolation: Many people hide their behaviors out of shame or guilt, which can create distance from loved ones and support systems.
• Career and academic issues: Gaming and internet addiction may cause people to miss work, skip classes, or neglect responsibilities.
• Emotional distress: Behavioral addictions can worsen anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, especially as the person loses control over their actions.
• Neglect of self-care: Time and energy are often devoted entirely to the addictive behavior, leading to poor hygiene, irregular sleep, and skipped meals.

Though behavioral addictions may not involve drugs or alcohol, their impact can be just as damaging—especially when they go unrecognized or untreated.

Behavioral Addiction Statistics

Behavioral addictions can be just as disruptive as substance use disorders, affecting mental health, physical well-being, relationships, and daily functioning. While rates vary by behavior and population, studies show these non-substance addictions are becoming increasingly common—especially among young people.

Below are some key statistics highlighting the prevalence and impact of several major behavioral addictions:

• Gambling Addiction: Prevalence among adults in the U.S. is estimated between 0.1% and 2.7%, with college students experiencing higher rates—up to 7.9% report problem gambling.
• Shopping Addiction: Research shows that compulsive buying disorder affects approximately 5% of the U.S. population, with symptoms often emerging in the late teens or early twenties.
• Gaming Addiction: Worldwide prevalence of gaming disorder is estimated at 3.05%, with cases appearing in children as young as 8 years old. Rates vary based on study methods and demographics.
• Pornography Addiction: Around 11% of men and 3% of women report feeling addicted to pornography, and millions of U.S. adults spend over 11 hours per week consuming online pornographic content.
• Social Media Addiction: Global estimates vary widely—from 5% to 25% depending on classification criteria. Rates are highest in collectivist cultures (up to 31%) compared to individualist cultures (around 14%). In the U.S., 77% of high school students use social media multiple times daily, which has been linked to increased mental health risks.

These numbers demonstrate that behavioral addictions are widespread and diverse, often affecting people at a young age and in deeply personal ways. Recognizing these patterns is a critical step toward improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts.

Treating Behavioral Addictions

Gambling addiction is currently the only behavioral addiction described in the DSM-5, but most mental health providers treat behavioral addictions as serious diagnoses with specific treatment methods.

Unlike treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, inpatient rehab or hospitalization for behavioral addictions is uncommon. Instead, treatment usually involves outpatient care with a focus on therapy, medication, or a combination of both, depending on the person’s needs and any co-occurring mental health conditions.

Therapy

Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” often serves as a first-line treatment for behavioral addictions. Typically conducted by a trained mental health professional, common types of therapy include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

CBT focuses on helping you identify destructive or unproductive thought patterns and redirect them into positive or neutral ones. On the other hand, DBT helps with balancing intense emotions and combating black-and-white thinking.

Medication

There are no medications approved specifically for behavioral addictions, but certain prescriptions can help manage related mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or obsessive thoughts. Treating these underlying conditions can make it easier for people to reduce their addictive behaviors and stay on track in recovery.

When using medication for behavioral addiction, it can often address symptoms of comorbidities as well.

Common medications used for behavioral addictions include:

• Antidepressant medication
• Antianxiety medication
• Antipsychotic medication
• Mood stabilizers
• Naltrexone (commonly used for alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder)

Support Groups for Behavioral Addiction

Feeling like you’re not alone in your addiction helps more than people realize. Support groups are a fantastic resource for individuals ready to recover from their behavioral addictions.

The following list is not exhaustive—ask your doctor if they have any recommendations for your unique situation or if any local support groups exist.

• Debtors Anonymous
• Shopping Addiction Support Group
• Shopaholics Anonymous
• Gam-Anon
• Gam Talk
• DailyStrength: Sex/Pornography Addiction Support Group
• Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous (ITAA)
• Porn Addicts Anonymous
• Sex Addicts Anonymous

Find Help for a Behavioral Addiction

Struggling with a behavioral addiction can be incredibly isolating and often leads to immense shame. While each behavioral addiction treatment might be unique, the support of loved ones and a mental health team will be similar.

Not sure where to start? The SAMHSA online treatment locator provides links and resources to various addiction treatment options. You can also call them at 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) for free, confidential information and referrals to behavioral addiction treatment close to where you live.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.