Web-based Evidence on the Treatment of Behavioral Addictions in United States Model Treatment Centers

Abstract

Behavioral addictions are highly comorbid with substance use disorders, presenting in as many as 54% of service users receiving substance use treatment. Few studies have examined whether treatment centers are attentive to such other addictions, which may undermine treatment. This study examined the mention and treatment of behavioral addictions on United States treatment center websites. The 2021 Newsweek America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers website was utilized to examine the mention and treatment of behavioral addictions in 300 leading treatment centers across 25 states in the United States. Of 289 active websites, only 61 (21.1%) treatment centers mentioned anything about behavioral addictions. The highest prevalence was for gambling ( n = 38), sex ( n = 22), food/eating ( n = 21), and internet gaming ( n = 12). A total of 49 treatment centers reported treating those addictions. The most prevalent treatments involved 12-step programming ( n = 18), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT; n = 16), individual counseling ( n = 16), and group therapy ( n = 15). Little formalized importance via websites was provided regarding the mention or treatment of behavioral addictions at treatment centers. A greater emphasis on concurrent and substitute behavioral addictions is needed to improve the quality of life and lower the possibility of relapse among those persons in addictions treatment.