Are Recurring Compulsions A Type of Addiction?

The term addiction does not just apply to alcohol or drugs; it is also applied to compulsions such as problematic gambling, computer addiction, sex, shopping, food addictions, kleptomania, pyromania, intermittent explosive disorder, and the list can go on. However, not all doctors look at each of these and many other types of recurring compulsions as a addiction. A recurring compulsion is an act by an individual to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences, as deemed by the user himself to his individual health, mental state, or social life. Do you think the recurring compulsions sound a lot like the clinical description for drug or alcohol addiction?

Many psychology professionals and others now feel that there should be adjustment made to the addiction module to include psychological dependency so these types of behaviors count as 'addictions.' Psychological dependencies cause some of the same symptoms associated with drug or alcohol addiction such as guilt, shame, fear, hopelessness, failure, rejection, anxiety, and humiliation along with other medical conditions such as depression.

In the next several blogs I will be looking at some of those recurring compulsions that are seen by some professionals as a form of an addiction. You judge for yourself if they sound strikingly similar to that of addictions.


If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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