Conditions and diagnosesExplainerSubstance use
Behavioral addictions: gambling, gaming, and compulsive sexual behavior
The National Council on Problem Gambling on the addiction patterns that don't involve a substance.
National Council on Problem Gambling8 min readSelected and edited by Dean ShabanAdded
Behavioral addictions share much of the neurobiology and treatment logic of substance use disorders without the substance. NCPG's overview of problem gambling (the only behavioral addiction with a formal DSM-5 diagnosis) is the clearest starting point.
For internet gaming disorder (ICD-11) and compulsive sexual behavior disorder (ICD-11), the field is still maturing. The piece is honest about that and points readers to evidence-informed treatment routes rather than commercial 'rehab' marketing.
Mental Hum's library is a curated index of authoritative third-party resources. The summary above is our own framing; the full information lives at the source.
A note on this article
Mental Hum publishes general education, not medical advice. If something here reflects your own experience, please consider speaking to a clinician. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.