Pharmacotherapy for Behavioral Addictions

Abstract

Certain behavioral syndromes (behavioral addictions), such as gambling disorder, stealing, shopping, and compulsive sexual behavior, appear to share clinical and neurobiological parallels with substance addictions. Pharmacological agents, often those used in substance addictions, have shown some benefit for behavioral addictions. This article reviews the double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmacological studies in the field of behavioral addictions. Future work is needed to develop treatment algorithms for people struggling with these disorders.