Behavioral
Addiction
Behavioral Addiction
Addictive behaviors are maladaptive, in the sense that they cause problems for the individual or those around them. So instead of helping the person cope with situations or overcome problems, they tend to undermine the condition and become enablers as well.
The behaviors are also persistent. When people are addicted, they will continue to engage in the addictive behavior despite the trouble it causes. So an occasional weekend of self-indulgence is not an addiction, although it may cause different kinds of problems.
Addiction is characterized by frequent and compulsive engagement in the behavior.


Addiction vs Dependence
It is important to distinguish between dependence and addiction. When people become dependent on a substance, it means that they experience drug tolerance and drug withdrawal:
- Tolerance means that the body has adapted to the presence of the drug so that it takes more of the drug to produce the same effects.
- Withdrawal occurs when people experience certain physical symptoms if the use of the substance is suddenly decreased or halted.
A person can become dependent on a drug without being addicted, usually physically.
Addiction occurs when people continue to compulsively use a drug, or indulge in a behavior, despite harmful consequences. Addiction involves strong physical and psychological dependence on a chemical or behavior.
Common Signs of Addiction
- Secretiveness
- Lying
- Stealing
- Financial unpredictability; such as having large amounts of cash at times but no money at all at other times.
- Changes in social groups, new and unusual friends, odd phone conversations.
- Repeated unexplained outings, often with a sense of urgency.
- Drug paraphernalia such as unusual pipes, cigarette papers, small weighing scales, etc
- “Stashes” of drugs, often in small plastic, paper or foil packages.
- A person may be sleepy during the day, and more active in the night.
- The brain: Addiction leads to changes in the brain’s reward circuits over time.
- Pupils of the eyes seeming smaller or larger than usual


Common Symptoms of Addiction
- Weight loss or weight gain.
- Unexpected and persistent coughs or sniffles.
- Seeming unwell at certain times and better at other times.
- An inability to stop.
- Changes in mood, appetite, and sleep.
- Continuing despite negative consequences.
- Denial.
- Engaging in risky behaviors.
- Feeling preoccupied with the substance or behavior.
- The brain: Addiction leads to changes in the brain’s reward circuits over time.
- Legal and financial problems.
- Losing interest in other things you used to enjoy.
- Putting the substance or behavior ahead of other parts of life including family, work, and other responsibilities.
- Secrecy.
- Taking more of the substance than you intended.