Behavioral addiction vs chemical

addictions and the connections

between them

By Tachi
 Terminology
Addiction: designates a process whereby a behavior, that can function both to produce pleasure and to provide
escape from internal discomfort, is employed in a pattern characterized by (1) recurrent failure to control the
behavior (powerlessness) and (2) continuation of the behavior despite significant negative consequences.

Behavioral addiction: occur when someone becomes addicted to a rewarding behaviour that does not involve
an addictive substance, such as gambling, sex, or eating.

Substance addiction: A drug addiction, a distinct concept from substance dependence, is defined as
compulsive, out-of-control drug use, despite negative consequences. An addictive drug is a drug which is
both rewarding and reinforcing.

DSM-5: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is published by the American Psychiatric
Association and offers a common language and standard criteria for the classification of mental disorders.
 Terminology cont.
The biopsychosocial model: is a broad view that
attributes disease outcome to interaction of

biological factors (genetic, biochemical, etc),

psychological factors (mood, personality, behavior, etc.),

and social factors (cultural, familial, socioeconomic, medical, etc.).

 Food (eating)
Alcohol Sex
Tobacco Pornography (attaining, viewing)
Opioids (like heroin) Using computers / the internet
Prescription drugs (sedatives, hypnotics, or Playing video games
anxiolytics like sleeping pills and tranquilizers) Working
Cocaine Exercising
Cannabis (marijuana) Spiritual obsession (as opposed
Amphetamines (like methamphetamine, to religious devotion)
known as meth) Pain (seeking)
Hallucinogens Cutting
Inhalants Shopping
Phencyclidine (known as PCP or Angeldust)
Other unspecified substances Intermittent explosive disorder (compulsive
aggressive and assaultive acts)
Kleptomania (compulsive stealing)
Pyromania (compulsive setting of fires)
Gambling
 The Answer?

Researchers have discussed the existence of several types of

substance and
behavioral addictions. That is, in general, they have agreed that
individuals may fall victim to
maladaptive, repetitive patterns of behavior involving
recreational drugs (e.g., tobacco, alcohol,
illicit drugs), other substances (e.g., binge eating), and other
behaviors (e.g., gambling, the
internet, shopping, workaholism, exercise addiction, love, or
sex), that reflect attempts at
achievement of appetitive physiological outcomes but result
eventually in negative outcomes to
self or others.
Marc Potenza, PhD, MD
Professor of Psychiatry, in the Child Study Center and of Neuroscience
Director, Center of Excellence in Gambling Research
Director, Yale Program for Research on Impulsivity and Impulse Control Disorders
Director, Women and Addictive Disorders, Women's Health Research at Yale
Dr. Potenza is a board-certified psychiatrist
with sub-specialty training and certification in addiction psychiatry. He has trained at Yale. he is
a Professor of Psychiatry, Child Study and Neurobiology at the Yale University
School of Medicine where he is Director of the Problem Gambling Clinic, the
Center of Excellence in Gambling Research, and the Women and Addictive
Disorders Core of Women's Health Research at Yale, and Director of Neuroimaging
for the VISN1 MIRECC of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. He is on the editorial boards of eight
journals and has received multiple national and international awards for
excellence in research and clinical care.
He has consulted to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration, National Registry of Effective Programs, National Institutes of
Health, American Psychiatric Association and World Health Organization on
matters of addiction.
 Questions?
What is the 3 stage model of addiction?