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Behavioral addictions (non-substance use disorders, non-substance abuse) are excessive engagement in certain behaviors that take over an individual’s life, creating negative consequences.
Behavioral addictions are thought to involve dysregulation of the brain’s reward system. Engaging in the addictive behavior triggers the release of dopamine, creating a sense of reward. Overtime, the effect may wear off, triggering the individual to engage in the behavior more frequently to achieve the same feeling of pleasure, leading to an addictive cycle. As a nurse, understanding this pathophysiology can help in providing empathetic care, explaining the condition to clients, and supporting treatment strategies.
Common non-substance use disorders include:
Many of the behaviors associated with non-substance use disorders are normal in moderation. A disorder is present when the behavior takes over the individual’s life, creating negative consequences.
The continuum of non-substance use, also referred to as the continuum of behavioral addictions, describes the range of engagement in certain behaviors. This continuum can range from healthy, normative use to problematic or addictive use.
No use → Beneficial use → Non-problematic → Problematic → Potentially harmful → Non-substance use disorder
It’s important to note that not all individuals who engage in potentially addictive behaviors will progress along this continuum, and the rate of progression can vary widely.
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