Did you know that there are addictions that don’t involve using substances? You can become addicted to a hobby or activity that most people do on a modest, regular basis. When your habits seem to border on the extreme and are out of your control, this is a signal that those habits aren’t positive and should be taken seriously.

Gambling
Gambling is one of the most common addictions that doesn’t involve drugs or alcohol. As many addictions start, gambling begins when the receptors in the brain for pleasure are damaged—when you win some money, the brain experiences pleasure. Over time, it takes more and more winnings to feel the same amount of pleasure, much like an addictive drug. It’s a continuous hunt for this high that keeps the gambling addict addicted.

Exercise
An obsession with exercise is known as “orthorexia.” You might be obsessed with exercising as much as possible, even when it might be harmful to your body. You could be preoccupied with your calorie count, or how many days a week you exercise. If you’re exercising multiple times a day, and feel empty when you’re not moving around and being physically active,

Social Media
We live in a time where it’s easy to be connected, all the time. You can stay in touch with people you haven’t spoken to in a long time; you can keep up with other people and learn about everything going on in your life. It has made people more uninhibited; it has given everyone an eyesight into what everyone’s up to. It’s easy to get addicted to likes and comments—it provides a small spike in dopamine when you view something positive on social media, something that makes you feel popular and wanted. This feeling is addictive. If you’re constantly on social media and have a hard time turning away, you might have a negative relationship with using social media.

Sex
Sex addiction is a huge problem that has become more apparent in our society today. It refers to the inability to stop having sex, looking at porn, or seeking out partners and putting yourself into dangerous situations. Some people even seek sexual partners at random, often through popular social media apps. In the age of Tinder, it’s not hard to find a willing partner—and it’s often a stranger. Hypersexuality can lead to many problems, such as sexually transmitted infections, dangerous situations, and ultimately, a lot of regret once all is said and done.

Overall, these addictions bear a comparison to regular substance use disorder involving drugs or alcohol. However, it’s always possible to recover, no matter how strange or out of place your addiction seems.