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Abstract
Behavioral addictions (BAs) are underrecognized, even in addiction programs. We assessed BAs in a substance abuse sample (n = 51; data collection 2011–2012). A self-report Behavioral Addictions Screen, assessing eight BAs, was administered using an automated telephone system. Most endorsed at least one BA, with the most common shopping/spending; eating; work; computer/internet; and sex/pornography. Lowest were gambling, self-harm, and exercise. Some BAs were correlated with others. Gender, ethnicity, age, and positive depression and posttraumatic stress disorder screens were associated with specific BAs. Future research could address interpretation of “addiction,” comparison to diagnostic interviews, relationship to substance use disorders, and larger samples.
THE AUTHORS
Lisa M. Najavits, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine; Lecturer, Harvard Medical School; clinical psychologist at VA Boston; and clinical associate, McLean Hospital. She is the author of Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse (2002) and A Woman's Addiction Workbook (2002), and over 150 professional publications. She has served as president of the Society of Addiction Psychology (Division 50) of the American Psychological Association; and has received various awards, including the 1997 Young Professional Award of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies; the 1998 Early Career Contribution Award of the Society for Psychotherapy Research; the 2004 Emerging Leadership Award of the American Psychological Association Committee on Women; and the 2009 Betty Ford Award of the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse. She has received a variety of National Institutes of Health grants. She is a practicing therapist and psychotherapy supervisor.
John Lung, B.S., is a senior research assistant at Treatment Innovations, where he is involved in all phases of grant-related work, including data collection, data cleaning, data analysis, grant submissions, and a broad array of technology-related tasks. He graduated from Brown University with a B.S. in Chemistry.
Autumn Froias, B.A., is a research assistant at Stanley Street Treatment and Resources in Fall River, Massachusetts. She has a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Boston University. Currently, she is completing her Master's in Clinical Social Work at Boston University. Her research interests include both substance use and its treatment and the epidemiology of mental health disorders.
Nancy E. Paull, MS, LADC I has been Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Street Treatment & Resources, Inc. (SSTAR) in Massachusetts and SSTAR of Rhode Island since 1985. She is responsible for the administration of these two multi-service social and health service social and health services organizations. SSTAR currently provides over 5,000 behavioral health admissions per year and provides over 50,000 primary health care visits per year.
Genie L. Bailey, M.D., ABAM, is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University; and Director of Research and Medical Director of the Dual Diagnosis Unit at Stanley Street Treatment and Resources, Inc. (SSTAR) in Fall River, Massachusetts. She has over 30 years of clinical experience as a psychiatrist. Over the last decade, she has participated in clinical research and has received funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse as well as the pharmaceutical industry. Her focus is the psychopharmacology of substance abusers and the integration of substance abuse treatment into primary care.