Non-substance Addiction - familydoctor.org (2024)

What is a non-substance addiction?

Most people associate addiction with tobacco, drugs, and alcohol. A non-substance addiction includes things such as gambling, risky sex, p*rnography, food, the internet, mobile devices, and shopping. These are sometimes called behavioral addictions. When a person does these things in excess and can’t stop, it becomes an addiction. All addictions can interfere with your work and personal life. It can even place you in unsafe situations. It can result in physical, emotional, and financial harm. Some can lead to other disorders and substance addictions. This includes depression, alcohol, drugs, and suicide.

Symptoms of a non-substance addiction

A person with a non-substance addiction is unable to stop doing the activity or behavior. For example, a person addicted to gambling may spend all their savings. Non-substance addiction symptoms can include:

  • Compulsive, excessive, and repetitive engagement in a risky behavior or activity
  • Being unable to stop the activity
  • Impaired judgment
  • Being unable to control the behavior
  • Craving the activity or behavior
  • Being unable to recognize the consequences of the behavior (safety, financial, emotional, physical)
  • Strained work and personal relationships
  • Inappropriate emotional response

What causes a non-substance addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disorder of a person’s brain activity. Simply put, your brain is wired that way. Doctors can’t say why certain people can’t control behavior. But the behavior combines reward, motivation, and memory in an unhealthy way. This triggers physical, emotional, and social responses. Doctors believe the behavior provides a rush or a thrill. For example, people addicted to gambling may experience a rush when winning or losing money. A person’s experiences and personality type play a part in addiction.

How are non-substance addictions diagnosed?

Some people with a non-substance addiction recognize the problem and seek help. Some people are told by family and friends. A mental health professional can diagnose the addiction.

Can non-substance addictions be prevented or avoided?

Non-substance addiction cannot be prevented or avoided. However, once you have been diagnosed, your mental health professional will help you find ways to avoid your exposure to triggers.

Non-substance addiction treatment

Treatment is possible. First, you must admit you have an addiction. Talk to your doctor. They may refer you to a mental health expert for more help. This help may involve cognitive behavioral therapy. This is talk therapy. It involves talking with your mental health professional about your addiction. It also may include advice about how to understand your addiction urges and how to handle them. Treatment for a non-substance addiction may also include treatment for depression or substance abuse, if needed. Support groups can also be help in addressing addiction.

Living with a non-substance addiction

It’s okay to tell trusted family and friends that you have a non-substance addiction. This is important if you’re trying to avoid triggers. For example, if you are addicted to gambling, don’t go to a casino with friends. If you are addicted to shopping and want to join friends, you might leave your credit cards and cash at home. Also, join an addiction support group. These are self-help groups for addictions. Your family and friends can even join support groups for loved ones with addictions.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • When does shopping become an addiction?
  • Is excessive sex with a spouse an addiction?
  • Can a person be addicted to food?
  • Is a non-substance addiction genetic?
  • How can I handle a shopping addiction if I have to shop for everyday items?

Resources

American Society of Addiction Medicine: Definition of Addiction

Cleveland Clinic: Addiction

Non-substance Addiction - familydoctor.org (1)

Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Non-substance Addiction - familydoctor.org (2024)

FAQs

What is the rule of 3 addiction? ›

The rule of 3 is that the hardest times in beating an addition is on day 3, during week 3 and during month 3. For me this is when i want them, crave them and MUST MUST have them.

What is the most common treatment for substance abuse? ›

Behavioral therapies—including individual, family, or group counseling-- are the most commonly used forms of drug abuse treatment. Medications are an important element of treatment for many patients, especially when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies.

What is the difference between screening assessment and treatment planning? ›

Treatment planning should be client centered, addressing clients' goals and using treatment strategies that are acceptable to them. Screening and assessment data provide information that is integrated by the clinician and the client in the treatment planning process.

What is the difference between screening and assessment for substance abuse? ›

Screening is a process for evaluating the possible presence of a particular problem. The outcome is normally a simple yes or no. Assessment is a process for defining the nature of that problem, determining a diagnosis, and developing specific treatment recommendations for addressing the problem or diagnosis.

What are the 4 C's of addiction? ›

One of the widely recognized frameworks to understand addiction is the 4Cs – Craving, Compulsion, Control, and Consequences. In this article, we delve into these components, shedding light on how they define addiction and what can be done to address them.

What are the three C? ›

Training your brain before you find yourself in a high-pressure situation may help you save a life or potentially help someone in pain. There are three basic C's to remember—check, call, and care. When it comes to first aid, there are three P's to remember—preserve life, prevent deterioration, and promote recovery.

What is the root of addiction? ›

There's not a single cause of addiction — it's a very complex condition. A significant part of how addiction develops is through changes in your brain chemistry. Substances and certain activities affect your brain, especially the reward center of your brain. Humans are biologically motivated to seek rewards.

What is the most common substance disorder? ›

Alcohol use disorder is still the most common form of substance use disorder in America, fueled by widespread legal access and social approval of moderate drinking. Many Americans begin drinking at an early age.

What are three medications that are used to treat substance use disorders? ›

Buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone are used to treat OUD to short-acting opioids such as heroin, morphine, and codeine, as well as semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. These medications are safe to use for months, years, or even a lifetime.

What is the Sassi test? ›

The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventories (SASSI-A3, SASSI-4 and SASSI Spanish) are self-report screening instruments designed to accurately identify adolescents and adults with high probability of having a substance use disorder (SUD).

What does DAST stand for? ›

The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) was developed in 1982 and is still an excellent screening tool.

What is the cage aid? ›

A five-question tool used to screen for drug and alcohol use; answering yes to two or more questions indicates a complete assessment is advised.

How to score the DAST 10? ›

This total score can range from 0 to 10. In brief: score 1 point for each item answered “Yes” except for item #3 where a “No” receives 1 point. Then add up the points for the total DAST -10 score. and #5 (Are you always able to stop using drugs when you want to), are keyed 1 point each for a "No" response.

What comes first, screening or assessment? ›

The answer to this question is simple. Typically, a screening is done to determine if a particular issue exists that warrants a full assessment.

What is the addiction assessment? ›

Individuals are screened to identify the potential presence of an alcohol- or drug-related problem, while the assessment stage takes the process a step further and confirms the existence of a problem, identifies the nature of the problem(s), and suggests appropriate avenues of treatment.

What is meant by 3 rule? ›

rule of three in British English

noun. a mathematical rule asserting that the value of one unknown quantity in a proportion is found by multiplying the denominator of each ratio by the numerator of the other.

What is the rule of three for quitting smoking? ›

What advice would you give to someone who would like to quit smoking? Remember the rule of threes: three days and you're past the very worst; three weeks and you're nearly there; three months and you can start feeling that you're succeeding; three years and you can start bragging.

What are the 3 parts of addiction? ›

To recap, addiction involves a three-stage cycle—binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation—that worsens over time and involves dramatic changes in the brain reward, stress, and executive function systems.

What is it called when you take 3 drugs at once? ›

What is polysubstance use? The use of more than one drug, also known as polysubstance use, is common. This includes when two or more are taken together or within a short time period, either intentionally or unintentionally.

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