Behavioral addictions have increased: "Addiction is a brain disease"
Particularly among young people, addictions to digital games and social media have increased following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Behavioral addictions are those where the core symptom is compulsive behavior.
− The activity continues even though it has harmful consequences, for example, on relationships, finances, or work life. And the more frequently the activity is performed, the stronger the addiction becomes. The most common behavioral addictions are gambling, digital gaming, and pornography addiction, explains Sami Leppämäki, Medical Director of Psychiatry at Terveystalo.
Like substance addictions, behavioral addictions also cause withdrawal symptoms.
− Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Withdrawal symptoms can help identify the addiction itself. For example, how does it feel if you don't start your morning by scrolling through social media? Or can you stop playing a digital game in the middle? Does being on your phone cause problems in your relationship, yet you still can't reduce its use?
Behavioral addictions have increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
Behavioral addictions are discussed much less than substance addictions. However, they have increased further as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
− Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people isolated themselves at home, leading many to develop new addictions or worsening existing ones. Loneliness is a significant risk factor for addictions, as people try to fill that emptiness with something else.
Among young people, digital gaming is the most common addiction, according to Leppämäki.
− In my experience, digital gaming is one of the fastest-growing addictions. Social media can also be highly addictive. It can be challenging to wean off both digital games and social media because these services are carefully designed to maintain user engagement.
Addiction is a brain disease
In the brain, behavioral addictions operate through the same mechanisms as substance addictions. The diagnostic criteria are exactly the same.
− Addiction is a brain disease: it alters the brain's pleasure pathways, affecting dopamine levels. This impacts a person's behavior, motivation, and control. Addiction essentially takes control of the person, weakening their ability to make decisions in their own best interest, Leppämäki describes.
Any activity can become addictive if it provides some form of pleasure to the person.
− Tolerance often increases as well, meaning that the activity requires increasingly stronger stimuli to achieve the same pleasurable experience. For example, in gambling, the stakes get higher. But as the addiction progresses, people report less pleasure. At this stage, compulsion is driven more by the fear of withdrawal symptoms than the pursuit of positive experiences.
Addictions tend to cluster in the same individuals, and men are more prone to addictions
According to Leppämäki, susceptibility to addictions is related to genetics, mental health, and social factors.
− Addictions are more common among men, and it often involves multiple addictions: for example, substance addiction increases the likelihood of behavioral addictions. Mental health is a two-way street: research shows that depression is linked to gambling addiction, and gambling addiction to depression. Loneliness and lower income levels also increase the risk of addictions.
Behavioral addictions can be treated: the most important thing is to seek help
− The most important step is to take the first step and not face the issue alone. At home, one can explore various free guides or peer support, and then contact healthcare services. For behavioral addictions, help is available; through occupational health, we offer both low-threshold support for concerns such as gaming issues and short-term psychotherapy for treating behavioral addictions, Leppämäki explains.
Lue lisää aiheesta
Where did our attention go and how can we get it back?
We live in an era of overachievement and stimuli, which affects our ability to maintain attention, says Joakim Harju, a psychiatric nurse and paramedic at Terveystalo.
Four relaxation exercises for the whole family for the Christmas rush
Christmas can be a busy and hectic time for families with children. A moment of peace and quiet with your family is an invaluable opportunity to enjoy Christmas.
8+1 ways to improve your energy levels
Are you tired during the day or do you still have high blood pressure in the evening? Try these tips for a better state of alertness, advises doctor Sanna-Tuulia Mattilan from Terveystalo Focus Uni in Tampere.
Mental health-related absences reduced by 45% with brief psychotherapy - significant impact on other absences too
A study by Terveystalo* monitored the impact of brief psychotherapy for occupational health clients on sickness absence in 2019-2024.The study found that the use of brief psychotherapy reduced mental health-related sickness absence by 45% and other sickness absence by 19%. The study follows on from a similar study carried out 2 years ago and reinforces the importance of timely access to treatment for mental health symptoms.
3 megatrends challenge wellbeing management and productivity: 'Fear of the paranoid is ever-present for managers'
The megatrends of the working life revolution and the productivity stagnation they are contributing to can be seen as concrete phenomena in Finnish workplaces. In the midst of the turbulence, both management and employees are wondering. But with good strategic leadership and partnership, human efficiency can be achieved.
Menopause is a pricey taboo in the workplace
Are menopause the new glass ceiling? If careers are to be extended and full potential unlocked, the impact of menopausal symptoms on work ability and well-being must be taken seriously. Turning a blind eye is discriminatory and comes at a price.