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Should compulsive sexual behavior be considered an addiction?
Author(s) -
Kraus Shane W.,
Voon Valerie,
Potenza Marc N.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/add.13297
Subject(s) - addiction , craving , psychology , substance use , neuroimaging , sexual behavior , compulsive behavior , behavioral addiction , clinical psychology , psychiatry
Aims To review the evidence base for classifying compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) as a non‐substance or ‘behavioral’ addiction. Methods Data from multiple domains (e.g. epidemiological, phenomenological, clinical, biological) are reviewed and considered with respect to data from substance and gambling addictions. Results Overlapping features exist between CSB and substance use disorders. Common neurotransmitter systems may contribute to CSB and substance use disorders, and recent neuroimaging studies highlight similarities relating to craving and attentional biases. Similar pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments may be applicable to CSB and substance addictions, although considerable gaps in knowledge currently exist. Conclusions Despite the growing body of research linking compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) to substance addictions, significant gaps in understanding continue to complicate classification of CSB as an addiction.