10. Gambling, Sex, and Food

As he drove past the casino, he could see the marquee, the valet parking stand...and the feelings started up again. He felt the thrill of placing a bet, of winning a pot. He felt energy, and his mind went faster. He wanted to be there, and he could feel the very cards in his hands...As he drove farther and the casino was left far behind, he mumbled, “Staying away is getting a little easier, but it’s far from easy.”

Can we be addicted to something besides drugs? Maybe we can. Consider the broad definition of addiction, which is a search for, or a preoccupation with something, that ends up being distressing or destructive to you, and you can’t easily stop.¹ In recent years, there have been more and more studies of various forms of behavioral addiction such as excessive gambling, eating, and sexual activity. The different kinds of addictions have many things in common. First of all, the behavior takes up a lot of time and effort, and it gradually gets out of control such that attempts at stopping or controlling it are unsuccessful. These activities might result in conflicts with teachers, friends, and family members. It might affect the mood and health of the person, and impact the individual’s finances, education, or work. Sound familiar?