Generalized alarm due to compulsive cell phone use. Adults warn children that they cannot spend all day in front of screens, while they themselves do not stop looking at theirs. There is also alarm due to the overcrowding of online gaming and betting rooms, which promise succulent prizes and which attract minors. And, in a society marked by rampant consumerism, in which products are purchased without first asking if they are needed, there are those who also warn of the psychological problems that come with this constant impulse to consume that directly threatens the planet. But is it true that these practices generate addictions? The answer is clear, yes.
In 2021, there were 4,052 people in treatment for them (3,520 men and 528 women), according to data from the registry of admissions to treatment for behavioral or non-substance addictions, launched for the first time in 2021 by the Delegation of the National Plan on Drugs, from the Ministry of Health, and which has now been made public. This registry, as this department recognizes, is not yet at full capacity, but it will be. Communities are already working to improve data collection, which is more complex than those related to alcohol and drug addictions (almost 70,000 in 2021), since treatments for behavioral addictions are carried out by associations and NGOs.
What is the profile of people who have undergone treatment? 87% are men. The average age of those admitted to treatment is 36.6 years, but with many differences depending on the disorder. The majority of those admitted for these addictions have secondary education (52.8%), come working (53.2%), on their own initiative (36.7%) or encouraged by family or friends (31.2%). They live with their family of origin (42.9%) in stable accommodation – houses, flats, etc. – (95.5%) and 10% are foreigners.
But what is the addiction for which they seek help? In 2021, 80.7% of treatment admissions have been for gaming disorder, 10.2% for problematic use of the internet, mobile phones or electronic devices, social networks or video games, 4% for shopping addiction and 2.5% for sex-related disorders.
Regarding social or health issues, 23.7% present dual pathology (mental health diagnosis) different from the disorder for which they are admitted to treatment. And because of their addiction, they have family conflicts (28.1%), financial problems (25.7%) and health problems (16.2%).
The profile, however, varies depending on the disorder for which help is required.
gambling addiction
In 2021, 3,269 admissions for gambling disorder were reported, with the profile of those admitted being men (91.6%), 38 years old, with secondary education and working. The age of onset of addiction is 26.3 years. And because of it, it presents economic problems, family conflicts and health problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia...
43.5% play in person (especially slot machines, both in hospitality and in gaming halls), 22.1% play online (sports betting, and roulette, Black Jack and other casino games), 14 .8% to both. When they ask for help, they have a debt that ranges between 14,836 euros (in-person game) and 24,293 euros (mixed game). 39.5% of those admitted to treatment for gambling are registered in the general registry of prohibitions on access to gambling, and of them 30.5% have returned to gambling.
Problematic use of the internet, mobile phone or video games
In 2021, a total of 412 admissions were reported in this category. The majority are men and 21.2% are women, with the youngest in these treatments, with an average age of 21 years. They come for help encouraged by family or friends.
The age of onset of this behavioral or non-substance disorder is also the earliest of all, standing at 16 years.
Shopping addictions
In 2021, 162 admissions to treatment for purchases were reported. This disorder, along with eating problems, occurs in a higher percentage of women than men (64.8% women). The average age at which they go to treatment is the highest of all addictions, 45.1 years, having started the addiction at 34.
The majority have secondary education (51.9%) and arrive working (53.4%). Only 6.8% of those admitted for this disorder are foreigners. Regarding the type of shopping disorder, 31.5% of those admitted to treatment report making purchases in person, 36.4% make purchases interchangeably, online and in person, and 12.3% make purchases only online. online (19.8% do not specify).
Sex addiction treatment
There have been 102 admissions to treatment for sex addiction reported, most of them men (96.1%), with an average age of 39.3 years, who began their problem with sex at 25.4 years.
