Behavioral addiction describes addictions to pursuits like gambling, social media, or sexual behavior, rather than to substance use that leads to dependency, like alcohol or nicotine.
The symptoms of something like Internet gaming disorder may not always be as obvious as those of a substance use disorder (like opiate abuse) but they disrupt quality of life and can have negative consequences for your personal health and relationships.
This article explains behavioral addiction, how it differs from substance addiction, signs to watch for, and what to do if you or someone you love has a behavioral addiction. Read more in Verywell.