5 Key Characteristics Of Addictive Behavior

  1. Repetitive
    1. Not necessarily every day
  2. Degenerative
    1. Intensifies over time
    2. More frequent, more intense
    3. May progress to more dangerous or damaging activities
    4. Produces increasing shame and decreasing pleasure
  3. Unmanageable
    1. Want to stop but can’t
  4. Medicative
    1. Use substance or behavior to change feelings or alter mood
  5. Destructive
    1. Kills self-worth, relationships, and even leads to death
    2. Can lead to divorce, financial ruin, loss of employment, legal action, and disease

Published by

Richard Himmer

Author, PhD in Organizational Psychology.