Addiction Types: Substance Use Disorders vs. Behavioral Addictions (Complete Guide)
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At a Glance: Addiction Types
Two main categories: Substance addictions (substance use disorders) and behavioral addictions.
Common substance addictions: Alcohol, opioids, stimulants (cocaine, meth), cannabis, sedatives/benzodiazepines, hallucinogens, inhalants, and nicotine.
Recognized behavioral addiction: Gambling disorder, with others like gaming, shopping, and internet use often treated clinically.
Key differences: Dependence = tolerance/withdrawal; Addiction = compulsion and continued use despite harm.
Treatment works: Evidence-based care includes detox, therapy (CBT, contingency management), medications (MAT), and long-term recovery support.
What do experts mean by “types of addiction”?
Addiction is a chronic condition marked by compulsive use of a substance—or compulsive engagement in a behavior—despite harm. Clinically, two macro categories are used:
Substance addictions (now diagnosed as substance use disorders, or SUDs).
Behavioral (non‑substance) addictions.
The DSM‑5/DSM‑5‑TR recognizes many specific substance disorders (e.g., alcohol, opioid, stimulant), and—within behavioral addictions—only gambling disorder is formally included today. Internet gaming appears in the manual as a condition warranting further study. That’s why many credible health libraries discuss gambling as the prototypical behavioral addiction while still acknowledging that other behaviors can become compulsive and harmful.
Quick list: the most common addiction types
Substance (SUD) categories you’ll see most often:
Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Opioid use disorder (OUD) (e.g., heroin, fentanyl, Rx opioids)
Stimulant use disorders (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription stimulants)
Sedative/hypnotic/anxiolytic use disorders (e.g., benzodiazepines, barbiturates, sleep medications)
Cannabis use disorder
Hallucinogen-related disorders (e.g., LSD, PCP)
Inhalant-use disorder
Tobacco/nicotine dependence
Behavioral addiction category (DSM‑recognized):
- Gambling disorder (the only behavioral addiction formally recognized at this time).
Other behaviors often discussed in clinical contexts (not all DSM‑recognized): gaming/internet/social media, sex/porn, shopping/spending, food/ultra‑processed foods, work, and exercise. These can become compulsive and impair functioning, and some clinics treat them within an addiction framework even without formal DSM status.
Substance addiction types (SUDs), explained
What it is
A problematic pattern of alcohol use that impairs health or functioning.
Signs
Needing more alcohol to feel effects; failed attempts to cut down; strong cravings; drinking despite problems.
Risks & withdrawal
Liver disease, injuries, depression; withdrawal can be serious (tremor, anxiety, seizures, delirium tremens).
Treatment
Managed withdrawal (detox when indicated), CBT, mutual‑help groups, and FDA‑approved medications (naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram) to reduce cravings or support abstinence.
What it is
Compulsive opioid use with tolerance, withdrawal, and loss of control.
Risks & withdrawal
Overdose and respiratory depression (life‑threatening); withdrawal is extremely uncomfortable.
Treatment
Evidence‑based medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD)—methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone—plus therapy and recovery supports. Carry naloxone to reverse overdoses.
Stimulant use disorders (cocaine, methamphetamine, Rx stimulants)
What it is
Problematic use of stimulants that heighten alertness, energy, and heart rate.
Risks
Cardiovascular strain, psychosis (especially with methamphetamine), dental and skin problems (“meth mouth/face”), sleep and mood disruption.
Treatment
No FDA‑approved meds for cocaine/meth use disorders; contingency management, CBT, and community support show benefit.
What it is
Misuse or dependence on medications like alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, or prescription sleep aids.
Risks & withdrawal
Cognitive impairment; withdrawal can be medically dangerous—requires slow, supervised taper.
Treatment
Medically supervised taper, CBT‑I for sleep issues, anxiety management, therapy for co‑occurring conditions.
What it is
Ongoing cannabis use causing impairment or distress.
Risks
Memory and attention problems, anxiety, cyclical vomiting syndrome in some, and dependence.
Treatment
Motivational enhancement, CBT, relapse‑prevention skills, and support groups.
What it is
Problematic use leading to impaired functioning.
Risks
Perceptual disturbances, anxiety/panic, persisting perception disorder (rare), and injury risk.
Treatment
Supportive care, safety planning, and therapy for underlying issues.
What it is
Repeated misuse of volatile solvents, aerosols, or gases for intoxication.
Risks
Organ damage (liver, kidneys), neuropathy, sudden sniffing death.
Treatment
Safety, medical stabilization, counseling, and family engagement.
What it is
Dependence on nicotine via cigarettes, vapes, or other products.
Risks
ardiovascular disease, cancers, COPD; nicotine withdrawal cravings are intense.
Treatment
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion or varenicline, counseling, and relapse‑prevention planning.
Behavioral addictions: what’s recognized and what’s emerging
Gambling disorder (DSM‑5/DSM‑5‑TR)
Why it’s recognized. Evidence shows parallels with substance addictions in brain pathways, symptoms (craving, tolerance‑like escalation, withdrawal‑like irritability), and treatment response.
Signs. Chasing losses, lying to loved ones, risking relationships/employment, needing to bet more to feel the same excitement, failed attempts to cut back.
Help. Treatment includes CBT, financial counseling, support groups (e.g., Gamblers Anonymous), and addressing co‑occurring depression or anxiety.
Other behavior patterns that can become addictive (not all DSM‑recognized)
Internet/gaming/social media, sex/porn, shopping/spending, food/ultra‑processed foods, work, exercise—these can become compulsive, time‑consuming, and harmful, even if they aren’t classified as formal disorders in DSM‑5‑TR. Clinics often treat them with cognitive‑behavioral approaches, habit reversal, and support groups while screening for underlying mood, anxiety, trauma, or ADHD.
Dependence vs. addiction (and why the distinction matters)
Physical dependence refers to tolerance and withdrawal—the body adapts to a substance.
Addiction adds the compulsive element—continuing despite harm, loss of control, preoccupation.
You can be physically dependent (e.g., long‑term benzodiazepine use) without meeting full criteria for an addictive disorder, and some behavioral addictions show compulsion without a traditional withdrawal syndrome.
How clinicians decide “which type” you have
Providers assess what’s being used (substance vs behavior), frequency, impact, and DSM‑5 criteria. For SUDs, severity is typically rated mild, moderate, or severe based on the number of criteria met. Screening includes history, physical exam, labs (when indicated), and a review of mental health conditions that can co‑occur and drive use.
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Signs & symptoms to watch for (across types)
Inability to cut down or stop
Cravings and preoccupation (thinking about it much of the day)
Neglecting roles at work/school/home
Risk‑taking to use or engage (e.g., driving impaired, gambling with rent money)
Relationship strain and secrecy
Tolerance (needing more) and withdrawal (substances or withdrawal‑like irritability in behaviors)
Risks and complications (by type)
Overdose (opioids, alcohol, sedatives)
Cardiovascular, neurologic, or respiratory problems (stimulants, tobacco, inhalants)
Infections (hepatitis, HIV via injection drug use)
Financial/legal problems (gambling, theft connected to substance seeking)
Mood, anxiety, psychosis exacerbations or onset
Social isolation and diminished quality of life
Treatment overview (evidence‑based paths)
Withdrawal management (detox)
Indicated when stopping could cause dangerous withdrawal (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines) or severe discomfort (e.g., opioids). This is short‑term stabilization before ongoing care. Learn More About Our:
Level of care
Inpatient/residential alcohol rehab for 24/7 structure and safety.
Partial hospitalization (PHP)/Intensive Outpatient (IOP) for step‑down intensity.
Standard outpatient for continued therapy, medication management, and relapse‑prevention. Learn More About Our:
Therapies that help
CBT, DBT, motivational enhancement, contingency management, and family therapy with coordinated care for co‑occurring conditions.
Medications
OUD: methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone
AUD: naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram
Tobacco: NRT (patch, gum, lozenge, spray), bupropion, varenicline
Recovery supports
12‑step and mutual‑help groups, recovery coaching, and peer communities meaningfully improve long‑term outcomes for many people.
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Which type is most common?
In the U.S., alcohol use disorder is frequently cited as the most common SUD, followed by nicotine and then cannabis.
FAQs About Addiction Types: Substance and Behavioral Disorders Explained
What are the two main types of addiction?
Substance addictions (substance use disorders) and behavioral addictions. Today, DSM‑5‑TR formally recognizes many SUDs and one behavioral addiction—gambling disorder.
Which addictions are most common?
Alcohol use disorder is often cited as most common, followed by nicotine and cannabis. Prevalence varies by region, age, and time.
Are internet, gaming, or social media considered addictions?
They can become compulsive and impairing, and many programs treat them. However, DSM‑5‑TR currently recognizes gambling disorder and lists internet gaming as needing further study.
What are examples of substance use disorders?
Alcohol, opioids, stimulants (cocaine, meth), sedatives/benzodiazepines, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, tobacco/nicotine.
What’s the difference between dependence and addiction?
Dependence = tolerance + withdrawal. Addiction adds compulsion and continued use despite harm. They can overlap but aren’t identical.
Can someone have more than one type of addiction?
Yes. Polysubstance patterns and co‑occurring SUD + behavioral issues (e.g., gambling) are common; treatment should address all conditions.
How are addiction types diagnosed?
Clinicians use DSM‑5 criteria for SUDs and for gambling disorder, plus history, physical exam, and, when relevant, labs or drug tests; behavioral issues are assessed for impairment and compulsion.
What treatments work across different addiction types?
CBT, motivational approaches, contingency management (strong for stimulants), family therapy, MAT for alcohol/opioids/tobacco, and peer support.
What are signs I may have an addiction?
Loss of control, cravings, neglecting responsibilities, secrecy, using/engaging despite harm, tolerance and withdrawal (for substances).
How Nova Recovery Center Helps With Addiction Type and Recovery
Nova Recovery Center provides comprehensive, evidence-based addiction treatment that addresses both substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. Our programs are designed to guide individuals through every stage of recovery, from detox and withdrawal management to long-term relapse prevention. We recognize that addiction affects each person differently, so our team creates individualized treatment plans that combine therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and family counseling. For those struggling with alcohol, opioid, stimulant, or other substance addictions, we offer medical support and proven interventions like medication-assisted treatment (MAT) when appropriate. We also provide structured programs for gambling and other behavioral addictions, focusing on restoring balance, accountability, and healthy coping skills. At Nova Recovery Center, clients have access to residential care, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and sober living options to ensure continued support at every level. Our holistic approach addresses not just the addiction, but also co-occurring mental health issues that often fuel the cycle of substance use. With a strong emphasis on community, accountability, and lifelong recovery skills, Nova Recovery Center helps individuals and families rebuild their lives with confidence and hope.
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