Medically Reviewed About the Author
Mat Gorman
Mat Gorman is a board-certified mental health writer and medical researcher with over a decade of experience in addiction recovery education. He specializes in translating complex clinical topics into clear, compassionate content that empowers families and individuals seeking treatment. Mat has collaborated with recovery centers, licensed therapists, and physicians to publish evidence-based resources across the behavioral health space. His passion for helping others began after witnessing the struggles of loved ones facing substance use disorder. He now uses his platform to promote hope, clarity, and long-term healing through accurate, stigma-free information.
Behavioral Addiction Treatment Overview at a Glance
What it is: Compulsive, non-substance behaviors (e.g., gambling, gaming, sex, shopping, food, exercise) that continue despite harm.
Signs: Strong urges, failed attempts to cut back, secrecy, escalating time or intensity, and negative impacts on relationships, work, or finances.
Causes: Reward-learning in the brain, coping with stress or trauma, co-occurring mental health conditions, and easy access to triggers.
Treatment approaches: Evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, ACT, and Motivational Enhancement; group therapy; family involvement; relapse-prevention planning.
Support groups: SMART Recovery, GA, SAA, OA, DA, and online/local meetings offer accountability and skills between therapy sessions.
Levels of care: Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient (IOP), residential programs, and aftercare options tailored to severity and needs.
What Is a Behavioral (Process) Addiction?
A behavioral addiction—often called a process addiction—is a pattern of compulsive, non‑substance behavior that continues despite harm. Individuals feel driven to engage in the behavior, experience relief or reward in the moment, and then face negative consequences in health, relationships, work, or finances. The cycle is recognizable: preoccupation → urges → behavior → short‑term reward → regret → renewed preoccupation.
The field’s diagnostic framework is evolving. In the DSM‑5, Gambling Disorder was moved into the Substance‑Related and Addictive Disorders chapter, reflecting shared mechanisms with substance addictions (craving, loss of control, persistence despite harm). Other behaviors (e.g., Internet Gaming Disorder) are listed for further study, and research continues on sex, shopping, and similar behaviors.
Where does the compulsion come from? Research suggests short‑term rewards (dopamine‑mediated) can reinforce behaviors in ways similar to substances, leading to diminished control and persistent use even when the person understands the consequences.
Common Types of Behavioral Addictions
Behavioral addictions can show up differently from one person to the next, but these categories capture common, impairing patterns:
- Gambling (including sports betting): mounting losses, “chasing,” secrecy, escalating stakes, and financial fallout.
- Gaming / Internet gaming: excessive hours, withdrawal‐like irritability when unable to play, neglect of school/work/relationships.
- Pornography / Compulsive sexual behavior: escalating time or intensity to get the same effect; failed attempts to cut back; shame and secrecy.
- Shopping / Spending: compulsive buying, debt, hiding purchases, and relief that is quickly replaced by anxiety or guilt.
- Food / Binge eating (noting overlap with eating disorders): loss of control episodes, using food to regulate emotions.
- Exercise / Work / Social media / Screen use: compulsive engagement despite injury, burnout, or social isolation.
It’s normal to enjoy games, shopping, or exercise. The issue is loss of control and harm—not the activity itself.
Signs & When to Seek Help
Ask yourself (or a loved one):
- Do urges or cravings dominate your thoughts?
- Do you need more time/intensity to get the same effect?
- Have you tried to cut back but can’t?
- Are you lying or hiding the behavior?
- Has it damaged relationships, finances, school, or work?
- Do you feel shame or regret, yet repeat the cycle?
If several are “yes,” a professional assessment is a smart next step.
Causes & Risk Factors
Behavioral addictions emerge from a mix of biology, psychology, and environment:
- Reward learning: short‑term relief or euphoria reinforces the habit loop.
- Coping gaps: behaviors used to numb or escape stress, loneliness, anxiety, or depression.
- Co‑occurring mental health conditions: treating anxiety, depression, or trauma can reduce urges and relapse risk.
- Access & triggers: phones, apps, casinos, or credit cards create “always‑on” cues.
- Family patterns & stressors: conflict, financial pressures, or isolation can keep the cycle going.
How Behavioral Addictions Are Diagnosed
There’s no blood test for addiction. Clinicians rely on:
- Clinical interview (history, consequences, attempts to cut back).
- Screening tools and structured measures aligned to the behavior.
- DSM‑5 criteria where applicable (e.g., Gambling Disorder).
- Rule‑outs & co‑occurring issues (mood, anxiety, trauma, ADHD).
- Readiness for change (motivation, goals, barriers).
Evidence‑Based Treatment That Works
Effective care treats the behavior and the person—skills, supports, and the context in which urges happen.
Cognitive‑Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you identify cues, thoughts, and beliefs that trigger urges, then practice alternative responses and problem‑solving. Robust evidence shows CBT reduces addictive behaviors and supports relapse prevention; effects are seen early and can be strengthened by continued care.
What it looks like:
- Functional analysis of high‑risk situations.
- Coping‑skills training (urge surfing, stimulus control, time budgeting).
- Financial safeguards (spending plans, accountability apps) for gambling/shopping.
- Relapse prevention planning (identify warning signs and “if‑then” scripts).
Group Therapy & Mutual Help
Group CBT and related formats are effective for a range of addictive behaviors and provide social reinforcement and skills practice in a supportive setting.
Mutual‑help options (free):
- SMART Recovery (secular, skills‑based; CBT‑informed): in‑person & online meetings and tools.
- 12‑Step Fellowships & alternatives: GA (Gamblers Anonymous), SAA (Sex Addicts Anonymous), OA (Overeaters Anonymous), DA (Debtors Anonymous), and non‑12‑step options (e.g., SMART) depending on preference.
- Digital self‑help: SMART’s web‑based Overcoming Addictions program demonstrates feasibility for skills‑based self‑management.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
MET is a brief, client‑centered approach that resolves ambivalence and strengthens commitment to change. It’s used across addictions and is often combined with CBT.
DBT, ACT & Exposure‑Based Work
- DBT adds emotional‑regulation and distress‑tolerance tools for people with intense urges or sensitive triggers.
- ACT builds values‑based action and acceptance strategies to ride out cravings.
- Exposure/Response Prevention (ERP) can be applied when compulsions overlap with anxiety/OCD processes.
Family & Partner Involvement
Behavior change sticks when the home environment supports it. Family education, boundary‑setting, and communication training strengthen recovery and reduce relapse risk.
Digital & Environmental Supports
- Stimulus control: time‑limit apps, website blockers, and self‑exclusion from gambling venues/platforms.
- Money boundaries: separate accounts, spending caps, “cooling‑off” periods, or fiduciary oversight for a time.
- Healthy routine: sleep, nutrition, movement, and pro‑social activities.
Medications—When They’re Relevant
There’s no single medication that treats all behavioral addictions, but meds may help co‑occurring depression/anxiety/impulsivity, which in turn can reduce urges. Best practice is behavioral therapy as the core, with medications used to treat co‑occurring conditions if indicated.
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Support Groups That Help (Online & Local)
Peer support adds accountability, hope, and practical tips between therapy sessions.
Find meetings now:
- SMART Recovery (skills‑based, CBT‑informed): Find a SMART meeting (online or in‑person).
- SMART meeting directory (US/Canada).
- Gamblers Anonymous (GA) and other 12‑step fellowships.
For comprehensive support options (including mental health and substance‑use groups), SAMHSA maintains a national support‑group and treatment locator.
Prefer alternatives to 12‑step? SMART is secular and evidence‑informed. Many people combine SMART with therapy for the best results.
Choosing the Right Level of Care
- Outpatient therapy: 1–2 sessions/week; good for early‑stage issues or after higher levels of care.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): 9–15 hours/week of groups + individual work; adds structure and momentum.
- Residential Rehab / Inpatient Treatment: 24/7 support for safety, stabilization, and skill‑building when outpatient isn’t enough.
- Step‑down, Sober Living & aftercare: ongoing groups, peer support, and periodic therapy sessions prevent relapse.
Combining evidence‑based therapy with ongoing recovery support outperforms unstructured “willpower” alone.
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FAQs About Behavioral Addiction Treatment, Support Groups, and Evidence-Based Care
What’s the best therapy for behavioral addictions?
CBT leads the evidence base; group therapy improves outcomes and access. MET/DBT/ACT are helpful complements.
Can I recover without meetings?
Some do, but staying connected predicts better outcomes. Try SMART or a 12‑step option and decide after a few meetings.
Is gambling addiction a “real” addiction?
Yes; DSM‑5 lists Gambling Disorder in the addictions chapter.
How long until urges go down?
Many notice improvement within weeks of CBT and environmental changes; staying active in aftercare helps maintain gains.
Is medication necessary?
Not typically for the behavior itself, but it may help co‑occurring conditions. Your clinician will advise.
Are there alternatives to 12‑step?
Yes—SMART Recovery (secular, skills‑based) and other non‑12‑step groups.
What if I can’t afford therapy?
Start with SMART (free), explore FindTreatment.gov filters, and ask programs about sliding‑scale IOP/outpatient.
Do I need rehab (residential)?
Residential helps when safety, stability, or home triggers make outpatient hard; many succeed with IOP + community supports.
How do I help a loved one who denies there’s a problem?
Use motivational strategies, set boundaries, and consider a professionally planned intervention.
How Nova Recovery Center Can Help with Behavioral Addiction Treatment
At Nova Recovery Center, we recognize that behavioral addictions often appear alongside substance use disorders, creating a more complex recovery journey. Our team provides integrated treatment that addresses both the substance and the behavioral addiction together, ensuring no part of the cycle is overlooked. Through evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational enhancement, clients learn practical tools to manage urges and build healthier coping strategies. We also incorporate group therapy and support group referrals, connecting clients with resources like SMART Recovery, Gamblers Anonymous, or Sex Addicts Anonymous for continued peer support. Our comprehensive care plans are personalized, offering outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), or residential levels of care depending on each client’s needs. For those with co-occurring behavioral addictions, family therapy and relapse prevention planning play a vital role in long-term stability. With structured aftercare and alumni support, clients leave Nova Recovery Center prepared to maintain progress beyond treatment. By treating behavioral addictions as part of the full recovery picture, we help clients regain balance, strengthen relationships, and build lasting sobriety.
Get help today. Reach out now to start your path to healing.