Educational orientation — not a diagnosis

Alcohol, substances or compulsive habits

Using alcohol, drugs, gambling, gaming, pornography, shopping or other behaviours to regulate distress can become harmful even before a person considers it an addiction.

Important safety note

Immediate danger, suicidal intent, violence, severe confusion, sudden loss of function or loss of contact with reality require urgent local emergency or medical support.

Open crisis guidance →

Common signs

What people may notice

Needing more for the same effect
Failed attempts to reduce or stop
Hiding the behaviour or its cost
Withdrawal, cravings or irritability
Work, health, financial or relationship harm

Several possibilities

This pattern may be associated with

Substance-use disorder

Behavioural addiction or loss of control

Depression, anxiety, trauma or ADHD contributing to the pattern

Medical withdrawal risk requiring supervised care

This list is not exhaustive and does not establish a diagnosis.

When support may be useful

Look at persistence and impact

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Physical health and safety

What should not be overlooked

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Prepare for a useful consultation

Information worth noting

When it began and what was happening at the time.
Frequency, duration, triggers and what reduces or worsens it.
Sleep, appetite, energy, medicines, substances and medical conditions.
Effect on work, study, relationships and daily safety.

Clinical content principles

PRJI educational pages distinguish orientation from diagnosis, include physical-health cautions and direct urgent situations to local services. Content is informed by public mental-health information from WHO, NHS and NIMH and must be clinically reviewed before commercial launch.