Behavioral Addiction Treatment: Types, Symptoms & Support

Understanding Behavioral Addictions: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment

When people think of addiction, they often picture drugs or alcohol. However, addiction can also take the form of compulsive behaviors, actions a person feels driven to repeat, even when they cause harm. These are known as behavioral addictions, and they can be just as damaging as substance abuse.

At DeLand Treatment Solutions, we recognize that behavioral addictions are real, complex, and treatable. Understanding the types, symptoms, and treatment options can help individuals and families take the first steps toward healing and recovery.

What Is Behavioral Addiction?

Behavioral addiction (also known as process addiction) refers to a compulsive engagement in rewarding behaviors, despite negative consequences. Unlike substance addiction, no external chemical is involved, but the brain’s reward system reacts the same way.

Research from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) shows that behavioral addictions activate the brain’s dopamine pathways similarly to drugs and alcohol. Over time, the brain begins to crave the emotional “high” of these behaviors, leading to loss of control, obsession, and withdrawal-like symptoms when trying to stop.

Common behavioral addictions include gambling, internet use, social media, shopping, gaming, sex, and exercise, but any behavior can become addictive when it dominates one’s life.

Common Types of Behavioral Addictions

1. Gambling Addiction

Gambling addiction, or compulsive gambling, is one of the most recognized behavioral addictions. People may feel a constant urge to gamble, chasing wins and losses alike. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, nearly 2 million U.S. adults meet the criteria for severe gambling addiction, while many more experience problem-level behaviors.

2. Internet and Social Media Addiction

Spending hours scrolling, posting, or comparing lives online can lead to dependency. Social media addiction often fuels anxiety, low self-esteem, and sleep problems. Studies suggest that over 30% of young adults experience problematic social media use that interferes with daily life.

3. Shopping Addiction (Oniomania)

Compulsive shopping brings short-term pleasure followed by guilt or regret. It often leads to financial stress and emotional strain. People with this addiction may use buying as a coping mechanism for loneliness or depression.

4. Sex and Pornography Addiction

This addiction involves compulsive sexual behavior or excessive consumption of explicit content. It can damage relationships, create secrecy, and fuel shame. Like other behavioral addictions, it’s rooted in the need for emotional escape or stimulation.

5. Video Game Addiction

Video gaming becomes problematic when a person prioritizes gaming over responsibilities, sleep, and relationships. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes “Gaming Disorder” as a legitimate mental health condition.

6. Food and Exercise Addiction

Some individuals develop unhealthy relationships with eating or working out, using these behaviors to manage emotions or achieve control. This can contribute to eating disorders, body dysmorphia, or burnout.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Behavioral addictions can develop gradually, often unnoticed until they start disrupting daily life. Common warning signs include:

1. Preoccupation – Constantly thinking about the behavior or planning the next opportunity to engage in it.

2. Loss of Control – Trying but failing to cut back or stop.

3. Neglecting Responsibilities – Missing work, school, or personal obligations due to the behavior.

4. Emotional Dependence – Using the activity to cope with sadness, stress, or boredom.

5. Tolerance – Needing to engage more often or intensely to feel the same satisfaction.

6. Withdrawal Symptoms – Feeling restless, anxious, or irritable when not participating.

7. Relationship Strain – Lying, hiding, or arguing with loved ones about the behavior.

If several of these signs sound familiar, it may be time to seek professional help.

The Impact of Behavioral Addictions

Behavioral addictions can severely affect mental, emotional, and physical health. They can lead to:

• Financial distress (in cases of gambling or shopping)

• Sleep issues and anxiety

• Strained relationships or social isolation

• Depression or guilt

• Decline in academic or work performance

Over time, these behaviors can erode self-esteem and make recovery feel impossible, but healing is possible with the right support.

Effective Treatment for Behavioral Addictions

1. Comprehensive Assessment

Treatment begins with a thorough evaluation to understand the underlying causes, whether trauma, stress, anxiety, or other co-occurring disorders.

2. Psychotherapy

Therapy is the cornerstone of recovery. At DeLand Treatment Solutions, we use evidence-based approaches such as:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps identify and replace destructive thought patterns.

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Improves emotional regulation and impulse control.

• Trauma-Informed Therapy – Addresses unresolved pain that may fuel addictive behaviors.

3. Group and Family Therapy

Addiction recovery thrives on connection. Group therapy builds peer support, while family sessions help rebuild trust and communication.

4. Mindfulness and Holistic Therapies

Incorporating mindfulness, yoga, and stress-reduction techniques helps individuals stay grounded, manage cravings, and improve emotional balance.

5. Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Long-term recovery depends on continued support. Our team helps clients create a personalized aftercare plan, including support groups, relapse prevention tools, and regular check-ins.

Why Professional Help Matters

It’s easy to underestimate behavioral addictions because they don’t involve substances, but the emotional, financial, and relational toll can be just as serious. Without treatment, these behaviors can worsen over time.

Professional care offers the structure, accountability, and compassion necessary to break the cycle. At DeLand Treatment Solutions, our therapists create individualized treatment plans designed to heal not only the behavior but also the root cause behind it.

Taking the First Step Toward Recovery

Behavioral addictions are not signs of weakness, they are symptoms of emotional pain, unresolved trauma, or unmet needs. Recognizing the problem is the first and most powerful step toward change.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with compulsive behaviors, you don’t have to face it alone.

🌿 DeLand Treatment Solutions offers evidence-based, compassionate care for behavioral addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions.Call us today at (386) 866-8689 and reach out today to learn how we can help you rediscover balance, purpose, and freedom from addictive patterns.