Introduction to behavioral addictions
Grant, Potenza, Weinstein and Gorelick reviewed how behavioural addictions compare with substance addictions, with the aim of informing how they should be classified in DSM-5. They described non-substance behaviours that give short-term rewards and are repeated despite known harms with reduced self-control, described either as part of an impulsive-compulsive spectrum or as behavioural addictions. They reported that behavioural addictions resemble substance addictions in many respects, including progression, symptoms, tolerance, shared genetic factors and brain mechanisms, which supported a proposed DSM-5 category grouping substance and non-substance addictions. They judged the evidence strongest for pathological gambling and internet addiction, and the data too limited to classify other proposed behavioural addictions.
Grant, Potenza, Weinstein and Gorelick reviewed how behavioural addictions compare with substance addictions, with the aim of informing how they should be classified in DSM-5. They described non-substance behaviours that give short-term rewards and are repeated despite known harms with reduced self-control, described either as part of an impulsive-compulsive spectrum or as behavioural addictions. They reported that behavioural addictions resemble substance addictions in many respects, including progression, symptoms, tolerance, shared genetic factors and brain mechanisms, which supported a proposed DSM-5 category grouping substance and non-substance addictions. They judged the evidence strongest for pathological gambling and internet addiction, and the data too limited to classify other proposed behavioural addictions.
Written from the abstract via Europe PMC record, 2026-11-03; full text not read.
What our sources record
Recorded when this source was checked, figures included, with page references and quotation marks removed.
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. doi:10.3109/00952990.2010.491884 https://doi.org/10.3109/00952990.2010.491884