Additive Behaviors
Most of us relate being addicted to something to a substance, which can happen. But there are several behaviors not related to substances that can be addictive as well. For examples of these, go to this website: Click Here for Behavioral addictions. One that is not mentioned is a cell phone addiction:Click Here for an article on Cell Phone Addiction. There are several characteristics which are common amongst behaviors that are addictive. These usually include:
- reinforcement. A person usually gets something out of the behavior (e.g. a buzz from drinking)
- compulsion or craving to do the behavior
- loss of control
- escalation, or you need more of that substance or doing that behavior to the same level of reinforcement
- negative consequences. And the consequences can be health- (e.g. hospitalization or death) or some other type of consequence (such as bankruptcy from gambling)
However, many behavioral addictions won't cause us direct harm (texting and driving can) but substance addictions will.
Substance Abuse vs Substance Dependence
Some one could be abusing a substance/psychoactive drug ("Glossary") (e.g. heroine, alcohol, nicotine) and not be addicted to it. Just because a person is not physically dependent on a substance does not mean he/she can not be abusing a substance. This happens to quite a lot of young adults who do drink alcohol. They don't need alcohol every day like an alcohol addict would, but they are not smart with their drinking habits.
To see the difference between Abusing a substance and being Addicted to a substance: Click here for difference between Abuse and Addiction
When on this past website, notice the issues that many people who abuse a substance face... can you think of peers a college who faces these same types of situations? That person could be abusing a substance.