What are the lesser-known addictions?
Someone might have an addiction when they can’t control doing or using something, and this can become harmful to them or others. We might associate addiction with drugs or alcohol. But there are many other types of non-substance addictions.
Here, I discuss some of the lesser-known types of addiction, their symptoms and where to find support for you or your loved one.
What are some lesser-known types of addiction?
Non-substance addictions (also known as behavioural addictions) happen when an individual is addicted to a behaviour, instead of a substance like drugs or alcohol.
Behavioural addictions can be less commonly talked about. Some examples are discussed below.
Gambling addiction
If you regularly gamble, you can become addicted to the thrill and excitement you might feel whilst gambling. It’s estimated that around 1 in every 100 people have a gambling disorder.
Gambling can take on different forms. Types of gambling include:
- casino games
- the lottery
- betting on sports
- mobile or online games
Not everyone who gambles has an addiction. But you might have a problem if you have a frequent urge to gamble and find it difficult to stop, even if it’s causing you mental or financial harm.
Gambling can have a negative effect on relationships. If you’re close to someone with a gambling addiction, you might struggle to trust them or worry about their future. Financial problems can also impact the people around them.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a gambling addiction, you should seek support and advice. GamCare is a charity that offers support for gambling addiction. Mental Health Foundation also have some useful about gambling addiction.
Shopping addiction
Shopping addiction occurs when someone has a compulsion to buy things and spend money.
Like most addictions, shopping addiction may result from underlying mental health problems, such as stress or anxiety. Someone with a shopping addiction might feel a temporary high when they buy something. This is caused by an increase in dopamine (a feel-good hormone). This is followed by a decline in mood and perhaps feelings of guilt, and the cycle is likely to continue.
You may have a shopping addiction if you experience the following signs.
- Frequently thinking about shopping.
- Being unable to control your urges to shop.
- Spending large amounts of time shopping.
- Feeling guilty or distressed after shopping.
- Financial difficulties due to your spending habits.
Or you may suspect someone you know has a shopping addiction. Some signs to look out for are, they:
- spend more money than they can afford
- constantly talk about shopping
- might try and hide how much they’ve spent
- appear anxious or agitated when they can’t make purchases
- borrow money to pay for things they don’t need
There’s help out there for all types of addiction, including shopping addiction. This might be through therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Or a 12-step programme to help treat addiction.
Pornography addiction
Someone might have a porn addiction if they compulsively view pornographic material and feel unable to control this behaviour. Porn addiction is a sub-category of sex addiction.
Watching pornography excessively can negatively affect someone’s well-being. They might find it difficult to function day-to-day. Symptoms of porn addiction can include:
- excessive pornography use that disrupts your daily life
- lying about your porn use
- finding that you need to access more extreme types of pornography
- intense cravings to watch porn and feeling distressed when you can’t
- using porn to relieve stress, anxiety or low mood
Porn addiction can negatively impact your mental health. It can also prevent you from forming meaningful relationships. In some people it can cause sexual dysfunction.
If you suspect that you or a loved one might have a porn addiction, it’s important to seek help. A qualified therapist can help you overcome your addiction. It can be hard to admit when we have a problem, but there’s nothing to be ashamed about.
Food addiction
Many of us enjoy food, but consuming unhealthy foods to an excessive degree could be a sign of a food addiction.
Eating unhealthy foods, such as those high in sugar, can cause the release of dopamine and make us feel good. Once your brain gets used to receiving high amounts of sugar, you may experience intense cravings. This can lead to food addiction.
Common signs of a food addiction include:
- being unable to control how much junk food you’re eating
- eating past the point of fullness, or when you aren’t hungry
- eating when you have low mood to try and make yourself feel better
- obsessively thinking about food
- feeling guilty or distressed after overeating
Having a food addiction can cause risks to your physical and mental health. Overeating can increase your risk of obesity, high blood pressure (hypertension) and type 2 diabetes. It can also lead to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. This might be due to feeling guilty after overeating, or issues with body image. But binge eating can also be caused by mental health problems.
People with food addiction are often diagnosed with binge-eating disorder. The good news is that this can be treated. If you struggle with binge-eating, book an appointment with your GP.
You can find support for food addiction at Beat, the UK’s leading charity for those with eating disorders. Food Addicts Anonymous also provide support groups across the UK.
If you’re worried about your mental health, our direct access service aims to provide you with the advice, support and treatment you need as quickly as possible. You’ll be able to get mental health advice and support usually without the need for a GP referral. Learn more today.
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Sources Sources
- Caring for my teeth and gums. Oral Health Foundation. Dentalhealth.org, accessed March 2025
- Chapter 2: Summary guidance tables for dental teams. GOV.UK, updated November 2021
- The role of hydration in oral health. Oral Health Foundation, Dentalhealth.org, accessed March 2025
- 10 foods and drinks with surprising oral health benefits. Oral Health Foundation. Dentalhealth.org, accessed March 2025
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