Are There Non-Drug Addictions?

Sometimes it seems there’s a claim of addiction every time a celebrity is caught in a dicey situation and needs to make a show of contrition. Gambling problem? Caught in sleazy sex? It’s off to rehab, where if nothing else, one’s employ-ability and image can be rehabilitated. So it’s natural that people might be skeptical of claims of behavioral addictions.

But are there really non-drug addictions? Can people become addicted to behaviors like gambling, sex and overeating?

The answer is yes.

Researchers have established that non-drug stimuli like gambling can evoke the same dopamine high that addictive drugs do. These addictions differ from drug addiction, however, since they aren’t acutely toxic like most addictive drugs.

For more on what they’ve discovered click on Non-Drug Addictions.

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