Understanding the condition
What is behavioural addiction?
A behavioural addiction is a recognised health condition in which an activity, such as gambling or gaming, becomes increasingly difficult to control, despite the harm it may be causing. No substance is involved, but the experience can be just as consuming.
These behaviours act on the same brain systems of reward, anticipation and self-control that are involved in alcohol and drug addiction. Over time, the activity can shift from something enjoyed to something relied upon to escape stress, low mood or loneliness, and stopping can bring restlessness, irritability and strong urges.
Because there is nothing to see or smell, behavioural addictions are often hidden for years, and the first sign others notice may be debt, a broken trust or a crisis at work. They deserve the same seriousness, and the same confidential care, as any other addiction.
Recognising the signs
Signs of behavioural addiction
Recognising some of these does not mean you have an addiction.
A confidential conversation with a clinician can help you understand what you are experiencing, and what support, if any, would help.
- Spending more time or money than you intended, and finding it hard to stop
- Needing to increase the time, intensity or stakes to feel the same effect
- Feeling restless, irritable or low when you try to cut down
- Returning to win back losses, or to escape stress or difficult feelings
- Hiding or downplaying the behaviour, or lying about time or money spent
- Continuing despite its effect on your relationships, work, finances or health
- Losing interest in people and activities that once mattered
Including casino, sports betting and online gambling, and compulsive trading or high-risk speculation. Gambling problems often come with debt, secrecy and strain on families, so treatment includes practical safeguards as well as therapy.
When gaming crowds out sleep, work, study or relationships, and attempts to cut back don’t hold. Treatment focuses on rebuilding routine and connection rather than avoiding technology altogether.
Compulsive pornography use can affect mood, intimacy, relationships and concentration. Treatment is confidential, non-judgemental and focused on what the behaviour has come to serve.
Sexual behaviour that feels out of control and continues despite harm to relationships, health or reputation. We work with discretion and, where the client wishes, with partners.
When buying, collecting or spending becomes hard to control, often as a way to lift mood or relieve stress, and continues despite debt, conflict or clutter. It can involve online shopping, luxury goods or collections. Treatment looks at what the spending is doing for you emotionally, alongside practical limits on access to money.
Including compulsive internet and social media use. We assess each pattern individually and treat the underlying drivers. See also drug addiction and alcohol dependence.
First steps
Practical safeguardsand early support
Behavioural addictions often bring practical pressures: debt, access to money or devices, and decisions that can’t wait. Part of early treatment is putting safeguards in place, with your agreement, so recovery has room to take hold.
This may include limiting access to funds and accounts, blocking software, involving a trusted family member, and, for gambling in Singapore, applying for casino exclusion through the National Council on Problem Gambling.
If you are having thoughts of ending your life, call 995 or the Samaritans of Singapore on 1767, or your country’s emergency services hotline.
Treatment
Our approach to behavioural addiction treatment
A behavioural addiction is rarely only about the behaviour. It is often linked to stress, mood, attention, trauma or relationships, so our programme treats the whole person.
Treatment begins with a 28-day residential stay at our restored heritage residence in Changi, followed by a 12-week intensive outpatient programme. This 16-week programme supports you through the months after residential care, when you are putting new habits into practice in everyday life.
A detailed psychiatric assessment, including screening for conditions that often accompany behavioural addiction, such as depression, anxiety and ADHD, with regular psychiatric review and 24-hour on-site nursing.
One-to-one counselling, daily process groups and skills workshops to understand your patterns, manage urges and plan for high-risk situations.
EEG neurofeedback, attention training, TMS (iTBS) and cognitive remediation, designed to strengthen attention, impulse control and self-regulation.
Mindfulness, personal training, sleep support and phone-free spaces, rebuilding routines and healthier ways to manage stress and boredom.
Alcohol or drug use, depression, anxiety or trauma are addressed together in one treatment plan.
Before you leave, we coordinate with outpatient providers in Singapore or your home country, and connect you with peer recovery groups. The Winslow Recovery App supports you for a year after the programme.
For families
When someone you lovecan’t stop
Learning about a loved one’s gambling, debts or secret behaviour can bring shock, anger and a deep sense of betrayal. Many families also carry worry about money, privacy and reputation. These feelings are understandable, and you don’t have to work through them alone.
We offer confidential guidance for families, including how to raise the subject of treatment with care and how to protect yourselves financially. Our team understands both Asian and Western family dynamics, and the particular sensitivities of high-profile families. During treatment, families take part through weekly therapist-led family groups and individual family therapy, in person or securely online.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions people often ask about behavioural addiction and treatment.
Yes. Gambling disorder and gaming disorder are recognised in international diagnostic manuals, and compulsive sexual behaviour is recognised as a related condition. They involve the same brain systems as substance addictions and respond to structured treatment.
Not everyone does. Residential care is often considered when attempts to stop haven’t held, when there are other mental health concerns, or when daily life makes it too easy to return to the behaviour. Our pre-admission assessment looks at the right level of care. If The Winslow isn’t the right fit, we will tell you and help you find support that is.
We don’t provide financial advice, but managing debt and access to money is part of treatment planning. We can help you put safeguards in place and connect you with specialist financial and legal advisers.
Compulsive buying, sometimes called oniomania, is widely recognised by clinicians, although it is not yet a separate diagnosis in the main manuals. When spending feels out of control and continues despite debt or conflict, it can be assessed and treated in the same way as other behavioural addictions.
No. Phone-free spaces during the residential stay give you a break from constant triggers. Treatment then focuses on building a healthier, sustainable relationship with technology for everyday life.
The programme runs for 16 weeks: a 28-day residential stay followed by a 12-week intensive outpatient programme. Depending on clinical need and progress, residential extensions of one to four weeks are common.
It is hard when someone isn’t ready. Keeping communication open, protecting your own finances and wellbeing, and avoiding confrontation can all help. We offer confidential consultations for families who want guidance on what to say and when.
Some private insurance policies may offer partial coverage. We can provide supporting documentation for claims on request. Please check with your insurer directly. See our fees and inclusions.
Yes. Treatment is delivered in English, and the programme includes visa support and airport transfers. Most nationalities can enter Singapore visa-free for 30 to 90 days. When you return home, we coordinate a handover to providers there so your care continues.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Munidasa Winslow, Medical Director. Last reviewed October 2026.
Speak with a clinician
If you’re considering treatment for yourself or someone you care about, a confidential conversation can help clarify whether The Winslow is the right fit.
Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.