Description

This module provides an overview of Behavioral Addictions and types of behaviors considered as behavioral addiction. You will then examine the similarities between behavioral addiction and substance use disorders, the epidemiologic features of behavioral addictions, DSM-5, pharmacological interventions and finally the role of psychiatric and substance use comorbidity among patients with behavioral addictions.

Module Objectives

After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Define behavioral addictions and provide examples of the types of behaviors that are being considered as behavioral addictions.
2. Identify the similarities between behavioral addictions and substance use disorders.
3. Describe the epidemiologic features of behavioral addictions.
4. Explain the current state of the DSM-5 with regard to diagnosis of gambling disorder and other behavioral addictions.
5. Define the components of addiction disorders and the aspects of motivation, reward processing, decision making endophenotypes and their biological processes.
6. Describe the use of pharmacological interventions (opioid antagonists, anti-depressants, mood stabilizers) for treating gambling disorder.
7. Discuss the role of psychiatric and substance use comorbidity among patients with behavioral addictions.