Strange Addictions

Published: February 2026 | Last Updated: February 2026 | Reading Time: 8 min

Understanding Unusual Addictions

When most people think of addiction, they picture drugs or alcohol. But the brain's reward and coping systems can create compulsive patterns around virtually any behavior or substance. Unusual addictions — sometimes sensationalized by media — are driven by the same neurological mechanisms as more recognized addictions: dopamine reinforcement, emotional regulation, tolerance, and loss of control. Understanding this helps reduce stigma and encourages those affected to seek help.

Notable Unusual Addictions

Pica — Eating Non-Food Items

Pica involves the persistent eating of non-nutritive, non-food substances. Common items include ice (pagophagia), dirt or clay (geophagia), paper, chalk, hair, soap, or starch. While sometimes linked to nutritional deficiencies (particularly iron), pica can become a compulsive behavior driven by sensory satisfaction, anxiety relief, or habit. It affects 10-30% of young children but persists into adulthood for some individuals.

Tanning Addiction (Tanorexia)

Research has demonstrated that ultraviolet radiation triggers endorphin release in the skin, creating a measurable "tanning high." Studies using PET scans found that frequent tanners show brain activity patterns similar to individuals with substance addictions when exposed to UV light. Tanning addiction involves compulsive UV exposure (sunbathing or tanning beds) despite knowledge of skin cancer risk and visible skin damage.

Trichotillomania — Hair Pulling

Trichotillomania is classified in the DSM-5 as a body-focused repetitive behavior involving compulsive pulling of one's own hair, resulting in noticeable hair loss. The behavior provides temporary tension relief followed by guilt and distress. An estimated 1-2% of the population is affected, with onset typically in late childhood or early adolescence.

Excoriation Disorder — Skin Picking

Compulsive skin picking involves repetitive picking at one's own skin, causing tissue damage. The behavior often targets the face, arms, and hands and can result in significant scarring, infections, and social embarrassment. Like trichotillomania, it provides temporary emotional relief through a reinforcement cycle.

Ice Chewing (Pagophagia)

Compulsive ice chewing may seem harmless but can damage teeth and jaw joints. It is frequently associated with iron deficiency anemia — treating the deficiency often resolves the behavior. However, some individuals develop habitual ice chewing as a sensory-seeking or anxiety-management behavior independent of nutritional causes.

Lip Balm Addiction

While not a true physiological addiction, many individuals report compulsive, frequent application of lip balm. The cycle involves applying balm, experiencing temporary relief, the lips drying out (sometimes due to ingredients in the balm itself), and reapplying. This creates a behavioral dependence on the product.

Exercise Addiction

Compulsive exercise involves working out to the point of injury, illness, or interference with daily life. The endorphin and endocannabinoid release during exercise creates biochemical reinforcement. This condition frequently co-occurs with eating disorders and body image disturbances.

Plastic Surgery Addiction

Compulsive pursuit of cosmetic procedures despite diminishing returns is often driven by body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Each procedure provides temporary satisfaction that fades, prompting the search for the next "fix."

The Psychology Behind Unusual Addictions

Common Threads

Despite their diverse manifestations, unusual addictions share common psychological features including providing temporary relief from anxiety, stress, or emotional pain, involving a loss of control over the behavior, creating reinforcement through neurochemical responses, escalating over time as tolerance develops, continuing despite negative consequences, and serving as coping mechanisms for underlying emotional needs.

Why These Behaviors Become Compulsive

The brain does not distinguish between conventional and unusual sources of reinforcement. Any behavior that reliably provides neurochemical reward (dopamine, endorphins, serotonin) or emotional relief can become compulsive when an individual is psychologically vulnerable.

Treatment Approaches

Habit Reversal Training (HRT)

HRT is the gold standard for body-focused repetitive behaviors (trichotillomania, skin picking). It involves awareness training (recognizing when the behavior is occurring or about to occur), competing response training (substituting a less harmful behavior), and social support.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT addresses the thought patterns and emotional triggers that drive unusual compulsive behaviors, develops alternative coping strategies, and builds distress tolerance.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps individuals accept difficult emotions without resorting to compulsive behaviors, while committing to values-aligned actions. It is particularly effective for body-focused repetitive behaviors.

Medication

SSRIs and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have shown effectiveness for some body-focused repetitive behaviors. Medication for co-occurring anxiety or depression often reduces the emotional drivers of unusual compulsive behaviors.

FAQ

Are unusual addictions as serious as drug addiction? While they may not carry the same physical health risks as substance addiction, unusual addictions can cause significant distress, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. They deserve the same compassionate, professional treatment as any other addiction.

Why do people develop addictions to strange things? The brain's reward and coping systems can latch onto any behavior that provides relief or pleasure. Genetic vulnerability, psychological factors, trauma, and emotional needs all contribute. The specific behavior is less important than the underlying mechanism.

Can unusual addictions be treated? Yes. Evidence-based treatments including CBT, habit reversal training, and medication are effective for most unusual compulsive behaviors. Treatment addresses both the behavior itself and the underlying emotional needs driving it.

References

• Grant, J. E., et al. (2012). Body-focused repetitive behavior disorders in ICD-11. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 34, S31-S41.
• Feldman, S. R., et al. (2004). Ultraviolet exposure is a reinforcing stimulus in frequent indoor tanners. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 51(1), 45-51.
• Stein, D. J., et al. (2010). Trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder), skin picking disorder, and stereotypic movement disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 167(5), 524-532.

Written by the Valley Spring Recovery Center Editorial Team

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