Behavioral Addiction vs Substance Addiction: Study The Effect Of Addiction Type In Our Lives

It is a true concern that many people around the world are suffering from harmful addictions. Some are addicted to drugs or alcohol and some are getting addicted to activities like gambling, social media, watching obscene content on the internet and so on. Addictions are divided into two different types: Behavioral Addiction and Substance Addiction. Cases of substance addiction are rising rapidly and behavioral addiction persists among individuals over a long period of time. Treating these addictions becomes of the utmost importance as these dependencies can cost us a lot and even our lives. To better understand those addictions let’s compare Behavioral Addiction vs Substance Addiction and know how their dependence can affect our health.

What Is Behavioral Addiction? 

Behavioral Addictions are those kinds of addiction where a person has habituated a certain activity or behaviour that brings some sort of risk to their health. It does not involve any substance, completely driven by human thoughts and actions. One plays online video games all day long as nothing else brings them enough joy. This “joy” is nothing but dopamine that gets released in our brain and activates the reward system in it. One starts growing a strong urge to fall back into that activity again turning it into an addiction. Gaming, gambling, scrolling social media, watching movies, etc., are all symptoms of behavioral addiction.

What Is Substance Addiction?

Individuals addicted to drugs or alcohol are dealing with substance addiction. One can abuse certain drugs to a level that they become completely dependent on them. Strong drugs like opioids or stimulants are also a part of substance abuse where they affect our nervous system dangerously if overdosed or misused. But one can suffer from multiple issues at the cost of these relaxing and euphoric sensations got from lethal drugs, nicotine or alcohol. Respiratory problems and cardiac issues show up most often in substance dependence. Neurological disorders like seizures, psychosis and Parkinsonism are also some of the effects of substance addiction.

Are Behavior And Substance Addiction Related?

There exists a direct relation between substance and behavioral addictions. Our behavior determines how addicted we get to a substance. For instance, smoking cigarettes is a substance addiction. But the act of smoking itself is an addictive behavior. This shows how closely the two addictions are related. In a broader sense, the two addictions trigger the same brain mechanism and that is the reward system. Dopamine can released by both substance abuse and addictive act which makes us feel rewarded and pleasured. One of the most important similarities is that both addictions can emerge from similar environments. A person with high stress might drink alcohol a lot or resort to playing games for stress relief.

Contrasts Between The Two Addictions

Behavior and substance addiction might have a direct relation but at their core they are two different types of addiction. It is important to compare and understand both addictions separately. There are a lot of ways in which the two dependencies differ. Let’s shed some light on them by comparing behavioral addiction vs substance addiction.

• The very first difference between the two addictions is their nature. Behavioral addicts are dependent on certain actions and behaviours that they often carry out to feel rewarded like gambling, gaming, watching illicit material on the internet, etc. Addiction to substances involves compulsively using external materials like alcohol, cigarettes, illegal drugs, prescribed medications, and so on to attain relaxation and euphoria.
• Gambling is the only pathological disorder of all major signs of behavioral addiction. Other behavioral addictions not approved by the DSM-5 as a medical emergency. They are rather seen as psychosocial issues clinical psychologists must treat. But on the other hand almost all the signs of substance addiction are recognised for medical intervention by the DSM.
• Substance addicts are more prone to physical withdrawal that is very dangerous to their health. Symptoms of sedation like seizures, vomiting and sickness are common for individuals dependent on alcohol or drugs. Behavioral addicts are mostly diagnosed with psychosocial effects like irritation, depression or anxiety.
• Treatments of both behaviour and substance have differences. One should take medical detoxification first for substance addiction treatment. People with behavioral addiction can go holistic therapies for addiction like meditation and breathing exercises in behavioral addiction recovery.

Why Debate On Behavioral Addiction vs Substance Addiction?

Substance addiction has a high risk of harmful consequences on our health. People aware of the dangers of substance abuse take up substance addiction rehab immediately. But when it comes to behavioral addiction people often treat it as a mental health issue (which is true) that will take some time to heal on its own. Behavioral addicts do not take early steps to seek proper treatment because they fear people will get to know about their vulnerable side. Discussions like these will make us realize it is equally important to take behavioral addiction treatment just like treatment for substance abuse. Behavioral addicts have to win over their sense of shame first to start their recovery. Personalized Treatment for addiction will help behavioral addicts a lot if they fear feeling vulnerable.

Importance Of Treating Addictions Immediately

It is very crucial to treat both substance and behavioral addiction as soon as diagnosed. The immediate danger that neurobiologists worry about is the change in brain structure. The brain starts rewiring due to the influence of substances or the urge to continue addictive behavior. This affects the decision-making and memory of the addicted person. Injection drugs carry the risk of viral diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C and accidents or injuries can certainly happen with substance abusers. Both behavioral addiction, like losing money in gambling and substance addiction, like the urge to take drugs without buying them, can increase the risk of severe crimes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common behavioral addictions?

There are four very common behaviors that can turn into addiction in no time. The most common addiction recognized by DSM-5 as an addictive disorder that needs medical intervention is gambling . Next to gambling is internet addiction that involves playing online games and social media. Shopping and eating are also very common addictions among individuals today.

What are the six types of substance abuse?

Six dangerous types of substance dependence are rising rapidly among individuals. First is the addiction to opioid medications where people abuse drugs like Morphine and Oxycodone due to their sedative effects. Street drug addiction like cocaine and heroin is also on the rise. Some prescription drugs like Benzodiazepines are highly addictive in nature. The other three forms of abuse are the most common forms of addiction today: Alcohol, Nicotine and Marijuana.

How is behavioral addiction diagnosed?

Psychiatrist or psychologist make sure to identify if one has any kind if behavioral addiction. It is diagnosed by evaluating how one interacts with the source of addiction which leads to decline in the daily life of the individual. It focuses on the trigger points where the addicted individual feels anxious or irritated without the source.

Conclusion

It is very important to seek help for both forms of addiction. Behavioral dependence can deteriorate our mental health and substance abuse can bring about multiple neurological issues with it. The more concerning thing is that both addictions ruin one’s life completely. But remember, having an addiction is not at all a crime. So do not hesitate to talk about it with your close ones.