Rhinitis medicamentosa: Still searching for “new” behavioural addictions?

Rhinitis medicamentosa (RM) refers to persistent nasal congestion and related symptoms that result from prolonged use of nasal decongestants. Re-examination of the components model of addiction as applied to RM, does not support a suggestion that RM should be conceptualised as a substance-related type of behavioural addiction. Anticipation of a highly distressing nasal congestion upon the cessation of nasal decongestants might be driving their ongoing use. Instead of unnecessarily proposing yet another behavioural addiction, it might be more appropriate and useful to posit that RM represents misuse of nasal decongestants because their prolonged administration runs contrary to medical advice.