AAAP meeting includes presentation on behavioral addictions…

Among the sessions at last week's annual meeting of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) held in San Francisco: behavioral (sex, gambling, and social media). For this update on treatment and research, presenters focused on the lack of research on the topic. The presentation included diagnosis and treatment issues. There are psychotherapeutic, self‐help, and pharmaceutical treatments, according to the researchers, who each discussed a case example from their own clinical work. The relatively new phenomenon of social media addiction includes a broad array of harmful use on digital devices. There are common presenting signs and symptoms, the researchers noted. There are screening and assessment tools that can help providers discern between conventional use and harmful use, as well as a review of treatment resources and interventions. The AAAP concluded with its own presentation, and noted that 12‐step approaches work as well. It's important to remember that there are co‐morbid conditions with behavioral addictions, including psychiatric and neurological disorders.