Other Addictive Behavior

With the huge attention that has been given to drug addiction and drug rehabilitation in the past few decades, some new ideas have come to the forefront. There are many other forms of addiction and dependencies that have been recognized, such as shopping, gambling, sex, food addictions and many others. We can examine those as well in the context of addictive behavior.

It is very hard to spot someone with a gambling addiction because it may not be evident by looking at the person.

No physical symptoms, as opposed to other forms of addiction.
People with gambling addictions often are in denial or try to hide it completely.
Those with gambling problems often are extremely clever with their excuses, and explanations, especially to themselves.
Because the symptoms are debt and shortage of money, it is very easy to explain these shortages to others.
There are many excessive behaviors that are attributed to being young that might not be recognized as problematic.

Sexual addiction can manifest in many different way. Many of those addicted to sexual behavior said that it progressively got out of hand. It often starts with addiction to masturbation or printed or digital pornography and then progresses into dangerous behavior. Often times those with these types of addictions have other addictions and other times it is just one.

An out of control addict will often feel like their power over their own life is gone. Their lives are unmanageable and often this will cause them to be ashamed and have low self-esteem. Sexual addicts may wish to stop and repeatedly try to stop, but every time they fail they get frustrated. Some of the results can be financial problems, relationship difficulty, loss of work, and low confidence and self loathing.

Eating disorders can come in many forms. Bulimia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa are more common problems.

Bulimia Nervosa is compulsive binge eating that is in turn compensated for by inducing vomiting or using laxitives to flush out excessive caloric intake. Sometimes people will also engage in excessive exercise or fasting as well.

Anorexia nervosa is a tendency to maintain a weight that is far below what is normal.

Usually the people who have these disorders have a skewed sense of their own bodies, thinking they have much more weight on their body then is actually there.

Shopoholics, often tied in with severe financial troubles including "maxed-out" credit cards and unpaid bills. This problem is aggrivated by the consumer market in which we live.

People often shop as a hobby, spending far more than they can afford. Shopaholics compulsively shop no matter what their means.

Credit cards often enable these people to spend in this way so that eventually they are woefully in debt.