addictive behaviors

Characteristics of Problem Gambling

Pattern of persistent, recurrent gambling that causes impairment or distress; includes preoccupation with gambling, needing to gamble with more money, unsuccessful attempts to stop, chasing losses, lying about gambling, and jeopardizing relationships or work.

Risk Factors for Problem Gambling

Young age, male gender, low education, financial stress, early gambling exposure, family/peer gambling, comorbid depression/anxiety/substance use, and high environmental access (online, casinos).

Personality Traits in Problem Gambling

High impulsivity, sensation seeking, negative urgency, low conscientiousness, and higher negative affect (neuroticism).

Dangers of Problem Gambling

Financial ruin, job/relationship loss, homelessness, legal issues, depression, and increased suicide risk.

Treatments for Problem Gambling

CBT, motivational interviewing, relapse-prevention, addressing cognitive distortions, and treatment of comorbid disorders; medications like naltrexone have mixed evidence.

What Improves Gambling Treatment Success

Early engagement, motivational work, addressing impulsivity and cognitive errors, treating co-occurring disorders, and increasing accessibility (telehealth/self-help).

Bulimia Nervosa Characteristics

Recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (vomiting, laxatives, fasting, excessive exercise) and over-focus on shape/weight.

Binge-Eating Disorder Characteristics

Recurrent binge episodes with loss of control but no compensatory behaviors; often linked with emotional eating and weight gain.

Restricting Anorexia Nervosa Characteristics

Severe restriction of intake, significantly low weight, intense fear of weight gain, and body-image distortion without regular binge/purge behavior.

Situational Factors for Eating Disorders

Dieting pressures, social media, trauma, bullying, weight-focused sports, food insecurity, and high stress.

Personality Traits in Bulimia

Impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, negative urgency, affective instability.

Personality Traits in Binge-Eating Disorder

Emotional dysregulation, reward sensitivity, impulsivity, and using food for emotional relief.

Personality Traits in Restricting Anorexia

Perfectionism, rigidity, harm avoidance, obsessive traits, high self-control, and difficulty identifying emotions.

Dangers of Bulimia

Electrolyte imbalance, cardiac problems, dental erosion, GI damage, and high suicide risk.

Dangers of Binge-Eating Disorder

Obesity-related medical issues (hypertension, diabetes), depression, and impaired functioning.

Dangers of Restricting Anorexia

Highest psychiatric mortality rate; heart problems, organ failure, bone loss, and severe malnutrition.

Treatments for Bulimia

CBT-E, DBT for emotion regulation, nutritional counseling, and sometimes SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine).

Treatments for Binge-Eating Disorder

CBT-E, DBT, behavioral weight-management strategies, and lisdexamfetamine (FDA-approved).

Treatments for Restricting Anorexia

Family-Based Treatment for adolescents, CBT-E for adults, nutritional rehabilitation, medical monitoring; limited medication options.

What Improves Eating Disorder Treatment Success

Early intervention, family involvement (for youth), addressing underlying traits (perfectionism, emotion regulation), intensive support, and relapse prevention.

Cross-Disorder Treatment Principle: Early Evidence-Based Care

Earlier treatment leads to better outcomes across gambling, eating disorders, and addictions.

Cross-Disorder Treatment Principle: Treat Comorbidities

Address depression, trauma, and substance use concurrently to improve success.

Cross-Disorder Treatment Principle: Multidisciplinary Approach

Combining medical, psychiatric, nutritional, and social support improves stability and recovery.

Cross-Disorder Treatment Principle: Motivation & Engagement

Motivational interviewing, flexible access, and telehealth increase retention and long-term success.

Cross-Disorder Treatment Principle: Harm Reduction

When abstinence is not immediately possible, strategies that reduce acute risk (e.g., safety planning, overdose prevention) increase survival and improve engagement.