Behavioural Addictions

Behavioural addictions refer to addictions that are specific to certain behaviours or feelings that arise from acting out these behaviours (Alavi et al., 2012). Criteria for behavioural addictions include continuously failing to resist the impulse to act on the behaviour, increased tension before and feeling a lack of control during the behaviour and sense of relief when engaging in the behaviour (Goodman, 1990). Examples of behavioural addictions are gambling, compulsive sex, internet use, and gaming. We will outline each of them within this section.