Three people talking in group therapy

Addictive Behaviors

In addition to drugs and alcohol, we can also become addicted to behaviors. These resources will help you understand and manage your addictive personality.

Explore Addictive Behaviors

All Caffeine Internet Shopping Sex
Working at a table
Are You Addicted to Work?
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
man leaving his house
The Importance of Work-Life Balance and Overcoming Work Addiction
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
Woman after too much alcohol
What It Means to Relapse to an Addiction, Substance or Behavior
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE
Woman yelling at slot machine
How Gambling Disorder Is Defined According to Psychiatrists
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Rear View Of Woman Playing Game On Computer At Home
Can People Really Become Addicted to Everyday Activities?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Woman with handful of drugs
Why Self Medication Creates Problems for Addictive Behavior
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Paranoia can make you overly suspicious.
How Can Paranoia Symptoms Be Treated?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
A man drinking water close up
How Dilutional Hyponatremia Can Be Life Threatening
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
woman leaning on barbell on weight rack
What Is Exercise Addiction and Are You at Risk?
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
Excitement
Are You Subconsciously Hooked On Adrenaline?
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
wooden spoon with cacao powder
The Different Effects in Your Body When You Snort Cacao Powder
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Woman reaching into fridge
How to Understand the Phenomenon of Food Addiction
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
A woman shopping in a store
Is Compulsive Shopping Really an Addiction?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Sugar
Is Sugar Really, Truly Addictive?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Woman relaxing on bed
Addiction Can Significantly Impact a Brain's Chemistry or Homeostasis
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE
Man in bar with a beer
Is Stress a Factor of Your Addiction?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
A female tattoo artist working on a customer
Are Tattoos Addictive?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
man surrounded by 6 different screens of online poker
Key Features of the Psychological Process of Addiction
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Girls dancing at a party
Why Addiction Can Sometimes Be About Fitting In
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Hamburger, close-up, waitress in background (wide angle)
Excessive Appetites Is a Controversial View of Addictions
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
woman with belt around neck autoerotic asphyxiation
The Link Between Asphyxiation and Drug or Sex Addiction
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Depressed young man
10 Cognitive Distortions That Can Lead to Addiction Relapse
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
couple jogging up steps on outdoor hillside trail
The Science Behind Runner's High and What to Do If You're Addicted
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
Woman looking through window in a train
When to Seek Help for Symptoms of Psychosis
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Pyromaniacs are obsessed with watching and setting fires.
The Difference Between a Pyromaniac and an Arsonist
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Rear view of a couple watching TV
Television Addiction Can Be When You Really Can't Miss Your Favorite Show
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Troubled youth
The Alarming Signs and Symptoms of Addiction to Watch For
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
a young couple fighting in an alley
What to Do When Your Addicted Loved One Lies
By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD
Drug addiction crisis
What Is It Like to Experience Addiction?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Peer Pressure
What is Peer Pressure?
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Close-up of a hand turning off a gas stove
The Difference Between an Addiction and a Compulsion
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Model poses as chemist looking in a test tube
The Experience of Taking the Drug Mephedrone
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
stacks of chips at gambling table
Is Gambling Always a Problem?
Fact checked by Adah Chung
Two people dealing drugs in alley
What Does a Drug Dealer Look Like?
By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD
Woman using slot machine
Learn the Signs of Pathological Gambling and Gambling Addiction
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Female looking out of window, with her reflection looking back at her
Do You Know About Dissociation?
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Mature counselor listens compassionately to female client
Best Alcohol Treatment Centers
Fact checked by Sean Blackburn
A photo of different medicinal drugs, tablets and pills on blue background.
Best Drug Addiction Treatment Centers of 2021
Fact checked by Sean Blackburn
Woman throwing dice at craps table in casino, friends watching
How to Live With and Treat Behavioral Addiction
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Contemplating her next move
How Emotional Pain Addiction Causes Physical Issues
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Man taking notes
How Denial Can Harm the Treatment of Addiction
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Sugar
How Long Does Withdrawal From Sugar Last?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
A woman drinks a cup of coffee with her co-workers
The Negative Toll That Drinking Too Much Caffeine Can Have on Your Body
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Coffee for three
Side Effects of Caffeine
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE
man drinking an energy drink
Can You Overdose on Caffeine?
Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE
Close-up of a businesswoman suffering from caffeine withdrawal syndrome
What to Expect From Caffeine Withdrawal
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Coffee
The Rundown on Caffeine Amounts in Popular Foods and Drinks
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Woman drinking energy drink by the computer
Energy Drinks Have Many Ingredients That Could Be Addictive to Teens
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
coffee, black cup, man, woollen hat, beard
How Does Caffeine Affect Your Stress Levels?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Closeup coffee beans which contain caffeine
Caffeine Is a Natural Stimulant That Can Be Misused
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
How Caffeine Addiction Can Affect Your Health
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
hand of person using social media
Hooked on Social Media
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Close-up of woman wearing jeans from behind with cell phone in her back pocket
5 Tips to Help You Quit Your Cell Phone Addiction
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
Woman checking her phone
The Stress of Constantly Checking Your Phone
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Girl being excluded by peers
How to Avoid Being Embarrassed, Exploited or Harassed Online
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
boy enjoying video game console at home
The Signs and Effects of Video Game Addiction
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Woman ignores companion while she looks at her phone
10 Basic Rules of Netiquette or Internet Etiquette
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Man playing video game in living room
Video Gamers Can Show Signs of Addiction
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
man smiling while looking at cell phone
When Sexting Becomes Addictive
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
Woman looking at computer in dark room
4 Surefire Signs of an Internet Addiction
Fact checked by Emily Swaim