What Are Behavioral Addictions?
When people hear the word “addiction,” they often think of drugs or alcohol. However, behavioral addictions—also known as process addictions—involve engaging in compulsive behaviors despite harmful consequences. These habits can trigger temporary pleasure, followed by feelings of shame or guilt. Like substance use disorders, behavioral addictions are serious mental health conditions that can worsen other psychological issues, including mood disorders. They can damage relationships, disrupt daily functioning, and devastate families. Behavioral addictions require proper attention and care, just like alcohol or drug addiction.
Who Is Affected by Behavioral Addictions?
Behavioral addictions can impact anyone. Everyday activities, when taken to extremes, can develop into compulsive behaviors that cause emotional distress and withdrawal-like symptoms when the behavior stops. These habits often interfere with both physical and mental well-being.
- Gambling addiction
- Compulsive shopping or spending
- Food addiction or binge eating
- Pornography or sexual addiction
- Video game overuse
- Excessive exercising
- Work addiction (workaholism)
- Social media or internet addiction
- Self-harm behaviors (e.g., cutting)
Key Symptoms of Behavioral Addiction
Warning signs that a behavior has become an addiction and is disrupting the brain’s reward system include:
- Persistent guilt or shame over not being able to stop
- Health issues resulting from the behavior (e.g., obesity, sleep disruption, physical injuries)
- Strained family relationships and lack of time spent with loved ones
- Relationship damage due to affairs or porn use
- Financial trouble, including debt or loss of assets due to gambling or shopping
- Legal issues related to risky behaviors (e.g., solicitation or unpaid debts)
What Causes Behavioral Addictions?
Although there is no single cause for behavioral addictions, experts have identified numerous risk factors. These include a genetic predisposition for addictive behaviors, such as a family history of alcohol abuse or other substance use disorders, changes in the structure and function of the brain, emotional trauma and other underlying mental disorders, and acute stress.
6 Types of Behavioral Addictions
Behavioral addiction is not a one-size-fits-all condition. There are several subtypes, each requiring a personalized treatment strategy. Applying the same approach to every person struggling with a behavioral addiction can lead to poor outcomes—or even make things worse. Below are the six primary types of behavioral addicts, each with unique brain patterns and symptoms.
This type is defined by obsessive thinking and difficulty shifting focus away from addictive behaviors such as gambling, pornography, or food. These individuals often feel mentally stuck and struggle to break free from repetitive habits. Brain SPECT imaging frequently reveals increased activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus, a region associated with compulsivity and low serotonin levels. This pattern is commonly seen in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
People in this category battle with impulse control. They may start each day determined to avoid their addictive habits but struggle to follow through. SPECT scans typically show reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is the brain’s executive center for planning, decision-making, focus, and self-regulation. This underactivity is usually tied to low dopamine levels. Impulsive addiction is frequently linked with ADD/ADHD and tends to occur more in males.
This group displays traits of both impulsivity and compulsivity. Brain scans often show a dual pattern: low prefrontal cortex activity (linked to impulsivity and low dopamine) combined with high activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus (linked to compulsive behavior and low serotonin). This combination is commonly seen in individuals with a family history of alcoholism or substance abuse.
These individuals use behaviors like emotional eating to numb feelings of sadness, loneliness, or boredom. This type of addiction is most prevalent in women and is associated with worsening mental and physical health. SPECT findings typically show increased activity in the deep limbic system (linked to emotional pain and depression) and low activity in the prefrontal cortex, affecting decision-making and impulse control.
This type turns to addictive behaviors as a coping mechanism for anxiety, nervousness, and fear. Symptoms often include muscle tension, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and heart palpitations. Anxious addicts frequently expect the worst and may struggle with shyness or being easily startled. SPECT imaging shows overactivity in the basal ganglia, typically connected to low GABA levels. This type is also more commonly observed in women.
These individuals often struggle with emotional instability, mood swings, memory problems, and learning difficulties. Abnormal brain activity in the temporal lobes is commonly associated with this type. Causes may include past head trauma, infections, lack of oxygen, or exposure to toxins like mold. Brain scans usually reveal decreased temporal lobe function, though in some cases, increased activity may also be seen.