Addictions of all types (alcoholism, drug addiction, compulsive gambling, sex addiction, etc.) form in the same basic ways.
The risk factors for substance and behavioral addictions are the same: most often a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Generally, people are at-risk when there is a history of addiction (any type) or mental illness (any type) in the family, and when they’ve experienced early-life and/or severe adult trauma. A lot of the time, at-risk individuals turn to alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit substances to self-medicate feelings of stress and other forms of emotional discomfort, but they may also turn to an intensely pleasurable pattern of behavior (such as compulsive sexual activity).
Just for Today
Ask yourself if it matters why you are addicted. Or is the fact that you’re addicted the most important fact for you to deal with.