• DOI:10.1111/add.13297
• Corpus ID: 11261106

Should compulsive sexual behavior be considered an addiction?

@article{Kraus2016ShouldCS,
  title={Should compulsive sexual behavior be considered an addiction?},
  author={Shane W. Kraus and Valerie Voon and Marc N. Potenza},
  journal={Addiction},
  year={2016},
  volume={111 12},
  pages={
          2097-2106
        }
}

• Shane W. Kraus, V. Voon, M. Potenza
• Published 1 December 2016
• Psychology, Medicine, Biology
• Addiction

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.