Addictive behavior
Encyclopedia
Addictive behavior is any activity, substance, object, or behavior that becomes the major focus of a person's life, during which they withdraw from other activities. Along with this, there are often other signs of having an addiction either physically, mentally, or socially.
A person can become addicted with nearly anything. Some researchers imply that there are similarities between physical addiction to various chemicals, such as alcohol and heroin, and psychological dependence to activities such as compulsive gambling
, sex, work, running, shopping, or eating disorders. The type of activities which some people find addictive include gambling, food
, sex
, pornography
, computers
, video games, internet, work
, exercise, spiritual obsession (as opposed to religious devotion), pain, cutting and shopping
.
Compulsive behaviors are rooted in a need to reduce tension caused by inner feelings that a person wants to avoid or control. Compulsive behaviors are repetitive and are often performed in a ritualistic manner.
These behaviors may involve sex
, food, making excessive charitable contributions, gambling, spending, watching television, browsing web sites, reading, cleaning, washing, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, or other drugs. The key point is that the activity is not connected to the purpose it appears to be directed to, and is likely to be excessive. Examples could be a person who is afraid of bonding with a partner choosing to zone out with the TV, or a person who has never had enough love filling up on a gallon of ice cream.
It is thought that these behavior activities may produce beta-endorphins
(see Neurobiological basis of addiction) in the brain, which makes the person feel "high." Some experts suggest that if a person continues to engage in the activity to achieve this feeling of well-being and euphoria, he/she may get into an addictive cycle.
In so doing, he/she becomes physically addicted to his/her own brain chemicals, leading to a continuation of the behavior, even though it may have negative health or social consequences.
Addiction differs from compulsion
in that it inevitably escalates. A web of deceit, cover-ups, and detachment from a sense of self escalate. Harmful consequences can be external, e.g. loss of job, car crashes – or internal, e.g.. detachment, depression, lack of ability to feel or concentrate. There may also be physical consequences such as illness, hypertension and memory loss.
A person can become addicted with nearly anything. Some researchers imply that there are similarities between physical addiction to various chemicals, such as alcohol and heroin, and psychological dependence to activities such as compulsive gambling
Compulsive gambling
Problem gambling is an urge to continuously gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. Problem gambling often is defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the gambler's behavior. Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as clinical...
, sex, work, running, shopping, or eating disorders. The type of activities which some people find addictive include gambling, food
Overeating
Overeating generally refers to the long-term consumption of excess food in relation to the energy that an organism expends , leading to weight gainingand often obesity. It may be regarded as an eating disorder....
, sex
Sexual addiction
Sexual addiction is a popular model to explain hypersexuality—sexual urges, behaviors, or thoughts that appear extreme in frequency or feel out of one's control...
, pornography
Pornography addiction
Pornography addiction, or more broadly overuse of pornography, is excessive pornography use that interferes with daily life.There is no diagnosis of pornography addiction in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , and as with the broader proposed diagnosis of sexual...
, computers
Computer addiction
Computer addiction is a loosely used term for the excessive use of computers to the extent that it interferes with daily life. Excessive use may explain problems in social interaction, mood, personality, work ethic, relationships, thought processes, or sleep deprivation.The Diagnostic and...
, video games, internet, work
Workaholic
A workaholic is a person who is addicted to work.The term generally implies that the person enjoys their work; it can also imply that they simply feel compelled to do it...
, exercise, spiritual obsession (as opposed to religious devotion), pain, cutting and shopping
Shopping
Shopping is the examining of goods or services from retailers with the intent to purchase at that time. Shopping is an activity of selection and/or purchase. In some contexts it is considered a leisure activity as well as an economic one....
.
Compulsive behaviors are rooted in a need to reduce tension caused by inner feelings that a person wants to avoid or control. Compulsive behaviors are repetitive and are often performed in a ritualistic manner.
These behaviors may involve sex
Sexual addiction
Sexual addiction is a popular model to explain hypersexuality—sexual urges, behaviors, or thoughts that appear extreme in frequency or feel out of one's control...
, food, making excessive charitable contributions, gambling, spending, watching television, browsing web sites, reading, cleaning, washing, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, or other drugs. The key point is that the activity is not connected to the purpose it appears to be directed to, and is likely to be excessive. Examples could be a person who is afraid of bonding with a partner choosing to zone out with the TV, or a person who has never had enough love filling up on a gallon of ice cream.
It is thought that these behavior activities may produce beta-endorphins
Endorphin
Endorphins are endogenous opioid peptides that function as neurotransmitters. They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce...
(see Neurobiological basis of addiction) in the brain, which makes the person feel "high." Some experts suggest that if a person continues to engage in the activity to achieve this feeling of well-being and euphoria, he/she may get into an addictive cycle.
In so doing, he/she becomes physically addicted to his/her own brain chemicals, leading to a continuation of the behavior, even though it may have negative health or social consequences.
Addiction differs from compulsion
Compulsive behavior
Compulsive behavior is behavior which a person does compulsively—in other words, not because they want to behave that way, but because they feel they have to do so....
in that it inevitably escalates. A web of deceit, cover-ups, and detachment from a sense of self escalate. Harmful consequences can be external, e.g. loss of job, car crashes – or internal, e.g.. detachment, depression, lack of ability to feel or concentrate. There may also be physical consequences such as illness, hypertension and memory loss.