Behavioral Addictions

Behavioral addictions occupy a contested but expanding diagnostic space, with gambling disorder formally classified in DSM-5-TR and ICD-11, internet gaming disorder under continued study, and compulsive sexual behavior disorder added to ICD-11. The track will cover neurobiological convergence with substance use disorders (mesolimbic dopamine, reward prediction error), the surge in problem gambling tied to legalized US sports betting, and CBT, motivational interviewing, and Gamblers Anonymous outcomes. Pharmacotherapy sessions will examine naltrexone for pathological gambling, SSRIs in compulsive sexual behavior, and the controversies around screen-time interventions for adolescent gaming disorder.