Why Behavioral Addictions Are Getting More Research Attention Than Ever Before

For decades, addiction research focused almost exclusively on drugs and alcohol. But a major shift is happening in the scientific community: researchers are now investigating behavioral addictions—compulsive behaviors that don't involve substances—with the same rigor they once reserved for opioids and alcoholism. This expansion is reshaping how we understand addiction itself and who might need help.

What counts as a behavioral addiction?

Behavioral addictions are compulsive patterns of behavior that people struggle to control, even when they cause real harm to their lives. Unlike substance abuse, these don't involve drugs or alcohol. Instead, they involve everyday activities that become problematic when someone can't stop despite negative consequences. The research community is taking these seriously because the brain mechanisms involved appear remarkably similar to those seen in substance addiction.

Current Addiction Reports, a leading peer-reviewed journal in the field, has documented a significant expansion in research covering behavioral addictions alongside traditional substance abuse studies. The journal's research scope now encompasses multiple forms of addiction that were rarely studied together just a decade ago.

Which behavioral addictions are researchers studying most?

The most heavily researched behavioral addictions include:

• Mobile phone use disorder: One of the most-cited papers in addiction research examined whether disordered mobile phone use qualifies as a behavioral addiction, receiving 376 citations from other researchers—a sign of how seriously the field takes this issue.
• Social media addiction: Research on online social network site addiction has generated 290 citations, indicating widespread scientific interest in how social platforms can create compulsive use patterns.
• Internet gaming disorder: Studies exploring gaming addiction and its relationship to diagnostic criteria have sparked significant debate, with 128 citations showing ongoing discussion about how to classify this condition.

These aren't niche topics anymore. The volume of research suggests that behavioral addictions affect enough people to warrant serious scientific investigation.

How is this research changing addiction treatment?

The expansion of addiction research beyond substances is already influencing how treatment approaches are designed. Current Addiction Reports shows that modern addiction research now integrates findings from clinical psychology, psychiatry, and psychological intervention studies—creating a more comprehensive understanding of what addiction is and how to treat it.

The journal's research areas reveal that leading scientists are investigating impulsivity, developmental psychology, and neuroimaging across both substance and behavioral addictions. This cross-disciplinary approach suggests that effective treatment for one type of addiction may inform treatment for another. For example, cognitive-behavioral techniques that help people manage cravings for drugs might also help someone struggling with compulsive gaming.

Top research institutions driving this work include Yale University, which has published 41 papers in Current Addiction Reports with 7 appearing in the most recent edition, along with Harvard University, the University of Toronto, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. These institutions are producing the evidence base that will shape addiction treatment for years to come.

Why should you care about behavioral addiction research?

If you or someone you love struggles with compulsive phone use, gaming, or social media, this research matters. For decades, people with behavioral addictions were often told their problems weren't "real" addictions because no substance was involved. But the scientific evidence now shows that behavioral addictions involve similar brain mechanisms, similar patterns of loss of control, and similar negative life consequences as substance addictions.

The growing body of research also means that treatment options are improving. As scientists better understand behavioral addictions, they can develop more targeted interventions. This research validates the experiences of people struggling with these issues and opens doors to evidence-based help that was previously unavailable. The shift in addiction research represents a fundamental change in how the medical and mental health communities understand what addiction is—and that's good news for anyone seeking treatment.