Men and behavioral addictions
Men can experience a range of behavioral addictions, which are defined as compulsive behaviors that interfere with daily functioning and result in physical, emotional, or psychological harm. These addictions can manifest in various forms, including gambling, shopping, exercise, and internet usage. Research suggests that genetic factors may contribute to the vulnerability of men to these addictions, with certain genes linked to impulsivity and addiction behaviors. Men, particularly those aged 16 to 25, are more likely than women to develop behavioral addictions, especially when they face additional challenges such as substance abuse, mental health issues, or socioeconomic hardships.
The symptoms of behavioral addictions can be severe, leading to job loss, relationship breakdowns, and financial difficulties. Treatment often requires a multi-faceted approach, combining psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and support groups like those based on the 12-step model. Preventative measures emphasize the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle and being aware of the time and energy dedicated to specific activities. Understanding these behaviors can help individuals seek appropriate support and interventions, fostering healthier coping mechanisms and relationships.
Men and behavioral addictions
ALSO KNOWN AS: Compulsive behavior; process addictions; psychological addictions
DEFINITION: A behavior or activity becomes an addiction when it interferes with daily functioning; when it becomes harmful physically, emotionally, or psychologically; and when the person is unable to quit or resume the behavior or activity at a healthy level.
Causes
Neither scientists nor mental health experts know exactly what causes behavioral addictions, although the latest research does provide evidence for the possibility of a genetic role. A variant of the NRXN3 gene, previously linked to smoking, drug, and alcohol addictions, was linked to impulsivity in men in studies in the early 2010s. Further research identified several additional genes, such as PDE4B, that play a role in substance use disorders in general, as well as some that are associated with specific substance or behavioral addictions.
This link does not mean the gene causes behavioral addictions, but it can set the stage for their development when combined with other social, psychological, cultural, and emotional factors. Men are at least twice as likely as women to become dependent on drugs and alcohol, increasing men’s vulnerability to sex, gambling, and Internet addictions as well, as they share a high comorbidity rate. Men are also twice as likely as women to binge drink.
In general, behavioral addictions among men have been increasing as society has changed. The proliferation of computer games, social networking sites, and pornography on the Internet makes these activities prime targets for abuse. The growing availability of casinos and the promotion of lotteries and sports betting have resulted in an increase in pathological gambling. The emphasis on physical attractiveness and the social pressure to be "tough" has resulted in more exercise addictions, while easy access to credit cards, especially among college-age youth, has led to more shopping addictions.
Risk Factors
Studies have shown that men between sixteen and twenty-five represent the most vulnerable age group for many behavioral addictions—obsessive social media use, compulsive online gambling, internet gaming disorder, other problematic internet behaviors, shopping, sex, and exercise addictions—although addiction can begin at any age. Also vulnerable are men with substance addictions and men with depression, anxiety, perfectionism, and low self-esteem. Men struggling to find employment or living below the poverty line are also more likely to develop behavioral addictions. A 2021 study in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions found that young men with behavioral addictions also tended to have lower social skills, particularly those addicted to gambling and online gaming.
The greatest risk for an exercise addiction, usually bodybuilding or running, is found among men who are borderline narcissistic or who have an eating disorder. At high risk for a gambling addiction are men who identify pathologically with wealth. Other risk factors include child abuse, often a factor in sex addictions, and chronic unemployment, a factor especially in computer gaming and Internet addictions. Men are significantly more likely to present with internet gaming disorder than women but much less likely to obsessively use social media. Men with physical disabilities might also be at a higher risk for any of the sedentary addictions, such as computer gaming or television watching.
Screening and Diagnosis
Guidelines for diagnosing pathological gambling, called gambling disorder, and internet gaming disorder, are provided in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. A variety of screening tools are available to help with the diagnosis of other addictions. These tools include the Work Addiction Risk Test (WART), the Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS), the Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST), the Internet Addiction Assessment (IAA), the Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale (BSAS), and the Expanded Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI-3). Because substance use disorders commonly accompany behavioral addictions, it is also important for men to undergo screening for substance addictions to treat any underlying causes of their behavioral addictions. These screening and diagnostic tools include the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substance Use Tool (TAPS), the Brief Screener for Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (BSTAD), the Opioid Risk Tool (ORT-OUD) Chart, the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI), the twenty-eight-item Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), as well as its ten-question version, DAST-10.
In addition to conducting tests, the mental health professional usually conducts a physical exam of the client and, in some cases, talks to family members or obtains legal records for additional information. While a diagnosis is usually only made after a thorough examination, sometimes it depends on one criterion: the inability of the client to limit his behavior to within a normal, healthy range.
Symptoms
As a person becomes addicted to a behavior or activity, the initial sense of pleasure or euphoria, similar to that induced by drugs or alcohol, often gives way to pain or a variety of negative thoughts and emotions. In some cases, the activity actually alters the chemistry of the body so that the person becomes both physically and psychologically dependent. When withdrawal is attempted, the individual may experience mood swings, insomnia, depression, headaches, and other physical or emotional symptoms.
Symptoms also may include the inability to perform satisfactorily at work or to maintain regular hours. Many individuals with behavioral addictions lose their jobs because of repeated absences or tardiness. Divorce, losing custody of children, and destroying friendships are also common among individuals with addictions. To help assess symptoms and diagnose behavioral addictions as well as a number of commonly associated psychiatric conditions, the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90R) is often used for inpatient and outpatient treatment.
Individuals with gambling disorders and individuals addicted to shopping usually end up with devastating financial problems. Individuals addicted to exercise often have prolonged pain and may have had multiple physical injuries or surgeries that would normally have convinced an individual without a behavioral addiction to stop the activity. Sexual addictions often result in sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies. Internet and computer game addictions cause eating and sleep disorders, vision problems, headaches, and hygiene issues related to not bathing or using the toilet regularly. Suicide is prevalent among men with severe behavioral addictions, as the shame, guilt, financial problems, and other woes are often too difficult to handle.
Treatment and Therapy
Treatment for a behavioral addiction often involves many steps. There are no miracle medications. Finding the underlying cause of the problem is key to a successful treatment plan.
A behavioral addiction can sometimes be a symptom of, or exist alongside, a mental disorder or illness, such as depression, bipolar disorder, or an obsessive-compulsive disorder. In those cases, pharmacological intervention is the normal course and would take precedence over treating the behavioral addiction. Psychotherapy will help uncover any repressed attitudes or child abuse that can be at the root of an addiction.
In many cases, the standard form of treatment is a twelve-step program similar to the model conceived by Alcoholics Anonymous or individual cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) administered by a mental health expert. Family or couples therapy also is included when relevant.
CBT and the related twelve-step programs explore the negative or maladaptive thoughts or cognitions, which are often the source of an addiction. For example, individuals with an addiction to gambling usually place an abnormally high value on personal wealth, whereas compulsive shoppers tend to believe their identities are closely associated with consumer goods. CBT will also confront the shame and denial often associated with addictions and help a man to ask for forgiveness from the people he has hurt. Most therapy programs also include an educational component to teach relevant skills, such as good nutrition or financial management.
Prevention
A man can prevent a behavior or activity from becoming an addiction by maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle and remaining vigilant when too much time, energy, or attention is focused on one particular activity. A balance between sedentary activities and sports, and between work and leisure, is important, as is nurturing happy, productive relationships and pursuing a fulfilling career.
Bibliography
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