1- Are there behavioral addictions? What are they?
Most likely. Behavioral addictions resemble substance use addiction in many ways. Gambling addiction, however, is the only diagnosis that is officially recognized as an addiction. This reason is more due to historical reasons regarding a congressional hearing against tobacco rather than scientific reasons. The stance that is taken by ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) is that more studies are needed. Internet gaming, internet usage, sex, pornography, food, exercise, tanning, running, love, work, and many behaviors are thought to be able to be addictions.
2- Do behavioral addictions have similar treatment as drug and alcohol disorders?
Behavioral addictions tend to have similar treatments like drugs and alcohol, but the focus is more on behavioral interventions such as counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, and mutual help groups like 12-step programs. For some behavioral addictions, some medications appear to be helpful but the data is rather limited.
Therefore the approach is:
1- Mutual Group/12-step program (Such as AA or Smart Recovery)
2- Counselling “Treatment”- Residential/PHP/IOP/Aftercare +/- sober living
3- +/- Treat other conditions directly related to addiction rate (chiefly pain and psych issues)
And less to deal with medications)