Behavioral Addictions: Criteria, Evidence, and Treatment

DSM-V broke new ground in May of 2013, designating a new disorder called "behavioral addiction." Clinicians immediately wanted to know: how is a behavioral addiction different from an impulse control disorder? What are the criteria for determining that some behaviors are addictions rather than impulses? What, if anything, does this mean in terms of effective treatment?

Behavioral Addictions is the first and most authoritative text ever written on the subject of behavioral addictions. This comprehensive work explains the criteria used to determine addiction, the evidence for identifying assorted behaviors as addictions, and the evidence-based treatment for each.

With contributions from preeminent experts covering an exhaustive list of behavioral addictions, this book is unique in its coverage of behavioral addictions, their criteria, and treatment. It is a valuable and timely resource for any clinician treating addictions.

A guide to understanding the new DSM-V designation of behavioral addictionDefines the criteria for behavior to be considered an addiction designationDiscusses the evidence for behaviors meeting addiction criteriaIdentifies what is now, likely will be, and is not a behavioral addiction per evidenceDiscusses behaviors formerly considered impulse control disordersPresents evidence-based treatment for each behavioral addiction

1. An Introduction to Behavioral Addictions 2. Behavioral Addiction: The Nexus of Impulsivity and Compulsivity 3. Diagnosis and Treatment of Gambling Disorder 4. Problematic Online Gaming 5. Internet Addiction Disorder: Overview and Controversies 6. Social Networking Addiction: An Overview of Preliminary Findings 7. Food Addiction: Evidence, Evaluation, and Treatment 8. New Directions in the Pharmacological Treatment of Food Addiction, Overeating, and Obesity 9. Sex Addiction: An Overview 10. The Tyranny of Love: Love Addiction - An Anthropologist's View 11. Picking Up the Pieces: Helping Partners and Family Members Survive the Impact of Sex Addiction 12. Compulsive Buying Disorder 13. Exercise Addiction 14. Meditation and Spirituality-Based Approaches for Addiction 15. Behavioral Addiction in American Law: The Future and the Expert's Role