Habits can lead to dependence

Scientists from Flinders University conducted one of the most comprehensive reviews in the world on behavioral addictions: they analyzed nearly 250 systematic reviews and meta‑analyses, in which they compared gambling disorder with alcohol use disorder and six common behavioral addictions.

The researchers used gaming addiction as a benchmark: this is one of the most studied forms of behavioral addiction. Then it was compared across 75 different parameters, ranging from brain function and cognitive functions to personality traits, emotional regulation, and associated mental states. It turned out that gaming addiction is 98.9 % similar to pathological gambling: they share key risk factors, early signs, and underlying mechanisms. Next in terms of similarity are compulsive sexual behavior and binge‑eating disorder — they also share many common features with classic forms of addiction.

According to Professor Zsolt Demetrovich, an expert on addictive behavior, it is important to stop limiting the concept of “addiction” to substances and gambling. Addiction is primarily about loss of control, when a person continues a certain behavior despite the harm it causes to their health, relationships, finances, or daily life. That is why people often do not perceive their problems as addiction: it seems to them that it is just about “weakness” or a “love of gambling,” rather than a serious difficulty that requires support.

Dr. Andrea Chako, a senior research fellow in psychology at Flinders University, emphasizes that many people feel shame or cannot call their problem by the word “addiction.” Recognizing that similar mechanisms may underlie different forms of addictive behavior helps reduce stigma and encourages people to seek help earlier.

This is especially important because everyday activities are initially perceived as normal: everyone plays, everyone eats, many people enjoy shopping or work a lot. Because of this, it is harder to notice when behavior gets out of control. For example, a person may lose sleep, damage relationships with loved ones, spend more than they can afford, or continue to overeat, even though this is already seriously harming their health, yet still considers it just a habit.

Researchers hope that a clearer understanding of behavioral dependencies will help families, doctors, and individuals themselves to recognize the problem earlier, start conversations, and seek support before the damage becomes significant. Reducing stigma, improving access to help, and the ability to intervene in a timely manner are the main practical outcomes of such work.

Thus, addiction is primarily about how the human brain and behavior get caught in a vicious cycle from which it is difficult to break free on one’s own. And the earlier society and the healthcare system are ready to recognize and help with various forms of addiction, including behavioral ones, the greater the chances of preventing serious consequences.