Are There Non-Drug Addictions?

Sometimes it seems there’s a claim of addiction every time a celebrity is caught in a dicey situation and needs to make a show of contrition. Gambling problem? Caught in sleazy sex? It’s off to rehab, where if nothing else, one’s employ-ability and image can be rehabilitated. So it’s natural that people might be skeptical of claims of behavioral addictions.

But are there really non-drug addictions? Can people become addicted to behaviors like gambling, sex and overeating?

The answer is yes.

Researchers have established that non-drug stimuli like gambling can evoke the same dopamine high that addictive drugs do. These addictions differ from drug addiction, however, since they aren’t acutely toxic like most addictive drugs.

Q & A

For more on what they’ve discovered click on Non-Drug Addictions.

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