Artwork by

Types of Behavior Addictions

Medically reviewed by

Behavior Addictions- Alcohol addiction, drug addiction, substance abuse – are the popular addictions you would have heard of. But did you know that some of the behaviors that can be addictive? Yes, you read it right.

There are many types of behavior addictions such as,

Gambling addiction, shopping addiction, sex addiction, food addiction, internet addiction, fitness addiction, cosmetic surgery addiction and gaming addiction. Here is more information about types of behavior addictions.

  1. Gambling addiction:

A person suffering from gambling addiction, also known as ludomania, continues to gamble despite the harmful negative consequences. Gambling can have profound and long-lasting consequences for your life like relationship problems, financial problems, legal problems or imprisonment, poor work performance or job loss, poor general health, suicidal thoughts.

  1. Food addiction:

As the name seems self-explanatory, here the person is addicted to highly appetizing foods that are highly rich in sugars, fats, salts, etc.  If you have been struggling with food addiction and if it is left untreated. It can rapidly begin consuming your life. Some of the issues you may have are like heart disease, digestive problems, malnutrition, obesity and sleep disorders.

  1. Shopping addiction:

Shopping addiction is characterized by an intense preoccupation with frequent episodes of buying, and an uncontrollable urge to shop despite serious negative consequences. If you have a shopping addiction, you may feel like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster. You may spend a lot of time thinking about shopping, get anxious before a purchase, feel relief or euphoria after a purchase, and feel guilt or shame later.

Paste typeform embed here. Don't forget to delete this before pasting!

  1. Gaming addiction:

According to The American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5, about 6% of world population suffer from gaming addiction. People with gaming addiction typically involves playing games uncontrollably for many hours continuously. Which may lead to poor physical health, anxiety and impaired social functioning.

  1. Cosmetic Surgery addiction:

Cosmetic surgery addiction stems from body dysmorphic disorder. Here an individual is preoccupied with a slight or imagined “abnormality’ in their appearance. This obsession causes social isolation or occupational impairment and emotional problems.

  1. Internet addiction:

AT Kearney Global Research study- India has most Internet addicts with 53% of respondents in the country are connected to the internet every waking hour. Furthermore, Internet addiction is an impulse-control issue leading to neglect in basic drives such as hunger and sleep. It may also lead to negative behaviors such as anger, fatigue and social isolation.

  1. Fitness addiction:

There is no debate that regular exercise provides many benefits to a person’s physical and mental health. The person with fitness addiction may have various motivations. A desire to built their body weight or shape, a feeling of inexplicable dread is an exercise is not performed or to achieve an exercise-induced “high”.

They work out even though they are not feeling well (sickness) or injured, in the end causing more physical problems for themselves. They may not be regular at work, school, and other social obligations to exercise.

Book screening with our director of triage,  Kamlesh Verma
Take the first step
  1. Sex addiction:

People who have a sexual addiction sex becomes obsessive, demanding, and controlling. Sex addiction usually begins with predefined sexual ideas and fantasies, which leads to an inability to control sexual behavior.The addict often develops a need for sexual behavior that is riskier. High-risk sexual activity may include unsafe sex, sex with multiple persons, masturbation, excessive (compulsive) or use of pornography, phone sex or sex via the Internet (cybersex).

If you think that your loved one may be displaying any of the above-mentioned addiction symptoms, you may want to get them help. Early treatment can facilitate a faster recovery and enhance their quality of life. There are many treatment options available that can help the individual recover.

For effective behavior addictions treatment, call us now on +91 9611194949.

Share this article on social media

Articles you may like

Also watch