New addictions, an overview
Addictions are defined as the inability to do without a person (psychological addiction) or the incoercible need for a drug or substance
An addiction is characterised by a number of traits such as
- continuous involvement in a specific activity or behaviour, despite its negative consequences;
- loss of control in being able to diminish or not engage in the problem behaviour;
- compulsive enactment of the behaviour;
- state of agitation or discomfort (craving) when failing to act out the problem behaviour;
- feeling of well-being during enactment.
Recent years have seen an evolution in the concept of addiction
Whereas previously it mainly referred to a disorder related to alcohol or substance abuse, today the experiences that can be at the centre of an addiction have increased to include a whole range of behaviours that do not have to do with the use of a substance but nevertheless interfere with the nervous system, the neurochemical balance and various aspects of a person’s life (Petry et al., 2018).
What are the new addictions?
The ‘New Addictions’ that are most commonly referred to are:
- addiction to new technologies: internet, smartphones, online games, social networking and online pornography;
- compulsive gambling (GAP);
- compulsive shopping;
- affective addiction;
- work addiction (workaholism);
- addiction to physical activity (vigorexia);
- addiction to healthy and natural eating (orthorexia);
- food addiction.
To date, the only form of behavioural addiction included in the DSM-5, within the chapter on pathological addictions, is ‘Gambling Disorder’, which was previously included in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic Manual within the chapter on ‘Impulse Control Disorders’ (Yvonne et al., 2016).
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has proven to be one of the most effective forms of treatment in the treatment of pathological addictions (Carroll et al.; 2017)
The focus is placed on all those situations, thoughts and emotions that lead the individual to enact the problem behaviour.
The techniques used can be cognitive, i.e. aimed at recognising, becoming aware of and possibly modifying those thoughts that lead the individual to act dysfunctionally, or behavioural, aimed at learning alternative and more functional behavioural patterns.
As far as drug therapy is concerned, although there are no specific drugs for treating this type of addiction, mood stabilisers and serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be used.
References
Petry; K. Zajac; M. Ginley; “Behavioral Addictions as Mental Disorders: To Be or Not To Be?”; 2018
Carroll, B. Kiluk; “Cognitive behavioral interventions for alcohol and drug use disorders: Through the stage model and back again”; 2017
Yvonne; M. Potenza; “Gambling Disorder and Other Behavioral Addictions: Recognition and Treatment”; 2016
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