Addiction is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition that can take many different forms. All types of addiction can be broadly categorized as substance addiction, behavioral addiction, process addiction, dual diagnosis addiction, and cross-addiction. It’s important to note that these categories are not always mutually exclusive, and individuals may struggle with multiple types of addiction simultaneously.
What Are The Different Types Of Addiction?
All types of addiction are:
I. Substance addictions
Substance addiction or substance use disorder (SUD) 1 Fatayer, J. (2008). Addiction Types: A Clinical Sociology Perspective. Journal of Applied Social Science, 2(1), 88–93. https://doi.org/10.1177/193672440800200107 is the persistent and obsessive use of substances (like alcohol and drugs) that cause mental, physical, and behavioral problems. Common SUDs, according to the DSM-5 2 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016, June). Substance Use Disorders. Nih.gov; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519702/ , include:
1. Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) 3 Nehring, S. M., & Freeman, A. M. (2020). Alcohol Use Disorder. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436003/ is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and compulsive alcohol consumption. It is also marked by a physical and psychological dependence on alcohol.
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2. Caffeine use disorder
Caffeine use disorder 4 Meredith, S. E., Juliano, L. M., Hughes, J. R., & Griffiths, R. R. (2013). Caffeine Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Research Agenda. Journal of caffeine research, 3(3), 114–130. https://doi.org/10.1089/jcr.2013.0016 is a recognized condition characterized by a problematic pattern of caffeine consumption, leading to significant impairment or distress.
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3. Cannabis use disorder
Cannabis use disorder 5 Patel, J., & Raman Marwaha. (2019, June 5). Cannabis Use Disorder. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538131/ (CUD) is characterized by a problematic pattern of cannabis consumption such as-abusing marijuana. It is one of the most common types of addiction.
4. Phencyclidine use disorder and other hallucinogen use disorder
Phencyclidine use disorder 6 Journey, J. D., & Bentley, T. P. (2020). Phencyclidine (PCP) Toxicity. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507865/ is a mental health condition marked by addiction to a group of drugs known as phencyclidines. People with this condition can also get addicted to other forms of hallucinogens (like psychedelics, dissociatives, or deliriants).
5. Inhalant use disorder
Inhalant use disorder 7 Baydala L. (2010). Inhalant abuse. Paediatrics & child health, 15(7), 443–454. is a problematic pattern of inhaling hydrocarbon-based fumes, such as those found in solvents or paints, with the aim of altering a person’s mental state.
6. Opioid use disorder
Opioid use disorder 8 Dydyk, A. M., Jain, N. K., & Gupta, M. (2022, June 21). Opioid Use Disorder. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553166/ is an addiction to a class of chemicals that activate the body’s opioid receptors. It can develop from prescription opioid use or illicit opioid use, such as heroin.
7. Sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder
Sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder 9 Simone, C. G., & Bobrin, B. D. (2020). Anxiolytics and Sedative-Hypnotics Toxicity. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562309/ is a problematic pattern of using prescription medications (such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or other sedatives) to induce a calming or sedative effect, leading to significant clinical impairment.
8. Stimulant use disorder
Stimulant use disorder 10 Chapter 3—Medical Aspects of Stimulant Use Disorders. (1999). In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576550/ is a problematic pattern of using stimulant drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, or prescription stimulants like Adderall, leading to significant clinical impairment.
9. Tobacco use disorder
Tobacco use disorder 11 Camenga, D. R., & Klein, J. D. (2016). Tobacco Use Disorders. Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America, 25(3), 445–460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2016.02.003 is a mental health condition characterized by a dependence on nicotine that causes significant impairment and distress.
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II. Non-substance or behavioral addictions
Non-substance types of addiction involve indulging in certain unhealthy behaviors. These behaviors are common in people with impulse control disorders 12 Devoe, D. J., Anderson, A., Bahji, A., Singh, M., Patten, S. B., Soumbasis, A., Ramirez Pineda, A., Flanagan, J., Richardson, C., Lange, T., Dimitropoulos, G., & Paslakis, G. (2022). The Prevalence of Impulse Control Disorders and Behavioral Addictions in Eating Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 724034. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.724034 or who experience chronic difficulty in resisting the temptation of certain impulsive behaviors. It is also known as behavioral addiction 13 Grant, J. E., Potenza, M. N., Weinstein, A., & Gorelick, D. A. (2010). Introduction to behavioral addictions. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 36(5), 233–241. https://doi.org/10.3109/00952990.2010.491884 to things like:
1. Kleptomania or compulsive stealing
Kleptomania 14 Talih F. R. (2011). Kleptomania and potential exacerbating factors: a review and case report. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 8(10), 35–39. is an impulse control disorder in which a person experiences a persistent and frequent urge to steal.
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2. Pyromania or compulsive setting of fires
Pyromania 15 Grant, J. E., & Won Kim, S. (2007). Clinical characteristics and psychiatric comorbidity of pyromania. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 68(11), 1717–1722. https://doi.org/10.4088/jcp.v68n1111 is a type of impulse control disorder in which a person experiences a compulsive urge to start fires and participate in arson-related activities.
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3. Gambling
Gambling disorder 16 Yau, Y. H., & Potenza, M. N. (2015). Gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions: recognition and treatment. Harvard review of psychiatry, 23(2), 134–146. https://doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000051 is the compulsive urge to engage in gambling activities, such as sports or horse betting, poker, number or casino table games, etc. It is a progressive impulse-control disorder.
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4. Compulsive buying disorder
Compulsive buying disorder (CBD) 17 Black D. W. (2007). A review of compulsive buying disorder. World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 6(1), 14–18. is a mental health condition in which a person experiences the persistent, frequent, and uncontrollable urge to purchase material possessions.
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5. Chronic hoarding
Hoarding disorder (HD) 18 Mathews C. A. (2014). Hoarding disorder: more than just a problem of too much stuff. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 75(8), 893–894. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.14ac09325 is a mental health condition in which a person experiences a compulsive urge to acquire and accumulate material possessions, along with difficulty in discarding excessive clutter.
6. Sex addiction
Sex addiction 19 Fong T. W. (2006). Understanding and managing compulsive sexual behaviors. Psychiatry [Edgmont (Pa. : Township)], 3(11), 51–58. is a behavioral and impulse control disorder in which a person experiences the compulsive urge to engage in sexual activities.
7. Food addiction
Addiction to food 20 Vasiliu O. (2022). Current Status of Evidence for a New Diagnosis: Food Addiction-A Literature Review. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 824936. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.824936 is characterized by a tendency to consume highly processed foods (such as those rich in sugar, fat, or salt), which have addictive properties such as cravings, reward sensitivity, etc.
8. Video-gaming addiction
Video game addiction (VGA) 21 Gros, L., Debue, N., Lete, J., & van de Leemput, C. (2020). Video Game Addiction and Emotional States: Possible Confusion Between Pleasure and Happiness?. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 2894. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02894 is defined as the problematic and compulsive dependence on engaging in video games.
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9. Internet use disorder
This type of addiction 22 Cash, H., Rae, C. D., Steel, A. H., & Winkler, A. (2012). Internet Addiction: A Brief Summary of Research and Practice. Current psychiatry reviews, 8(4), 292–298. https://doi.org/10.2174/157340012803520513 is marked by problematic internet use or pathological internet use. Common types of internet addiction include social media addiction, addiction to pornography, doom-scrolling, etc.
III. Process addictions
This type of addiction involves repetitive behaviors that activate the reward centers in the brain 23 Berridge, K. C., & Kringelbach, M. L. (2015). Pleasure systems in the brain. Neuron, 86(3), 646–664. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2015.02.018 , leading to compulsive behaviors that are difficult to control. The different types of addiction related to specific processes include:
1. Eating disorders
An eating disorder 24 Balasundaram, P., & Santhanam, P. (2021). Eating Disorders. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567717/ is a mental health disorder characterized by abnormal eating patterns and habits that negatively affect a person’s physical or mental health. Anorexia and bulimia nervosa are common examples of eating disorders.
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2. Workaholism or work addiction
Workaholism 25 Sussman S. (2012). Workaholism: A Review. Journal of addiction research & therapy, Suppl 6(1), 4120. https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-6105.S6-001 is popularly known as the addiction to work. A workaholic is someone who is extremely involved in his/her work and finds it difficult to detach himself/herself from work psychologically and emotionally.
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3. Exercise addiction
Exercise addiction 26 Lichtenstein, M. B., Griffiths, M. D., Hemmingsen, S. D., & Støving, R. K. (2018). Exercise addiction in adolescents and emerging adults – Validation of a youth version of the Exercise Addiction Inventory. Journal of behavioral addictions, 7(1), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.7.2018.01 is marked by an unhealthy obsession with physical fitness and exercise.
4. Spiritual addiction
Spiritual addiction 27 Grant Weinandy, J. T., & Grubbs, J. B. (2021). Religious and spiritual beliefs and attitudes towards addiction and addiction treatment: A scoping review. Addictive behaviors reports, 14, 100393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2021.100393 involves an obsessive and compulsive quest for spiritual fulfillment or piety. This involves a persistent and frequent engagement with religious rituals, pilgrimages, substance use for attaining states of escapism 28 Jouhki, H., & Oksanen, A. (2022). To Get High or to Get Out? Examining the Link between Addictive Behaviors and Escapism. Substance use & misuse, 57(2), 202–211. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2021.2002897 , etc.
IV. Dual diagnosis addictions
This type of addiction involves the co-occurrence of substance use disorders with mental health disorders 29 Konkolÿ Thege, B., Hodgins, D. C., & Wild, T. C. (2016). Co-occurring substance-related and behavioral addiction problems: A person-centered, lay epidemiology approach. Journal of behavioral addictions, 5(4), 614–622. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.5.2016.079 . This is a common occurrence, as people who struggle with substance abuse often have underlying mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
Similarly, people who have mental health disorders may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to self-medicate and cope with their symptoms.
V. Cross-addictions
Cross-addiction 30 Dowd, B., Hein, K., Diez, S. L., Prokofieva, M., Kannis-Dymand, L., & Stavropoulos, V. (2022). Cross-Addiction Risk Profile Associations with COVID-19 Anxiety: a Preliminary Exploratory Study. International journal of mental health and addiction, 1–24. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-022-00862-6 refers to the development of a new addiction after a person substitutes it for an older addiction or has already achieved recovery from a previous addiction. For instance, a person who has an addiction to alcohol or other drugs may also have an addiction to food, gambling, sex, gaming, or other compulsive behavior.
Difference Between Substance Use, Misuse, And Abuse
Substance use, misuse, and abuse are terms that are often used interchangeably. The key difference lies in the different intent and levels of involvement 31 McLellan A. T. (2017). Substance Misuse and Substance use Disorders: Why do they Matter in Healthcare?. Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, 128, 112–130. with a substance, such as alcohol or drugs.
Substance use refers to the use of a substance as intended, in a healthy manner that does not result in harm or negative consequences. Substance misuse refers to the use of a substance in a way that is not intended or recommended, but that does not necessarily result in negative consequences.
Contrarily, substance abuse refers to the persistent and obsessive indulgence in harmful substances, non-substances, or behaviors that cause mental, physical, and behavioral problems. This condition mandates immediate medical help. Substance abuse, almost always, marks the onset of addiction or substance use disorder (SUD).
Addiction Treatment And Recovery
Addiction treatment typically involves a comprehensive, individualized approach that combines several medical, behavioral, and psychological interventions. The first step involves detoxification or the process of removing the substance from the body while managing withdrawal symptoms.
This is followed up with behavioral therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with addiction. The recovery process 32 Inanlou, M., Bahmani, B., Farhoudian, A., & Rafiee, F. (2020). Addiction Recovery: A Systematized Review. Iranian journal of psychiatry, 15(2), 172–181. is made better and surer by availing support group interventions and holistic therapy approaches (such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture).
Takeaway
Different types of addiction can be influenced by a wide range of factors. Genetics, environment, and life experiences can all play a role in the development of addictive disorders. Therefore, understanding the unique factors that contribute to each individual’s addiction is critical for effective treatment and recovery. It’s essential to seek professional help and social support to address addiction comprehensively and holistically.
At A Glance
- Types of addiction refer to various forms of addiction.
- All types of addiction can be broadly categorized as substance addiction, behavioral addiction, process addiction, dual diagnosis addiction, and cross-addiction.
- Each of these types of addiction has its own symptoms—including the phase of withdrawal and relapse.
- Addiction is a complex issue and many individuals may struggle with multiple types of addiction at the same time.
- Each of these addictions can be treated with therapy, pharmacotherapy, and self-help coping strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the true nature of addiction?
Addiction is a multifaceted phenomenon that typically involves an intense craving for a substance or behavior, a loss of control over its use, and continued engagement with it despite the negative consequences that may arise.
2. Can you have an addiction to food?
Yes, it is possible to have an addiction to food or food addiction. Also known as compulsive overeating, it is marked by uncontrollable cravings for certain types of foods, especially those high in sugar, fat, or salt.
3. How addictive is caffeine?
Regular use of caffeine causes mild physical dependence because it stimulates the central nervous system. But, unlike addictive drugs, caffeine does not pose a threat to a person’s physical, social, or economic health.
4. What is the power of addiction?
An addict seems to risk his/her own survival with his/her indulgence in the addiction of substances, non-substances, or harmful behaviors. Addiction becomes an involuntary behavior when the emotional and physical “need” to do so overcomes any natural drive for food or sex.
