title: Should compulsive sexual behavior be considered an addiction?
abstract: To review the evidence base for classifying compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) as a non-substance or 'behavioral' addiction.
  
  
  
  Data from multiple domains (e.g. epidemiological, phenomenological, clinical, biological) are reviewed and considered with respect to data from substance and gambling addictions.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: VISN 1 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.|Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Shane W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.affiliation: University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Voon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.|Department of Neurobiology, Child Study Center and CASAColumbia, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Marc N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Potenza
mesh_terms: D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D066249:Craving; D004882:Erotica / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D007989:Libido; D008297:Male; D012201:Reward; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Addiction; behavioral addictions; compulsive sexual behavior; hypersexuality; neurobiology; psychiatric disorder; sexual behavior; sexual compulsivity