Behavioural addiction support
Discover resources to help individuals seeking behavioural addiction recovery.
Last updated 22 January 2026
Overview
Through surveys with our member agencies, NCSS has identified behavioural addiction support as a critical area with increasing needs.
We conducted further research and stakeholder engagements to better understand the issues. Our findings revealed that people often delay in seeking help and emerging technologies are exacerbating the complexity of addictions.
NCSS is taking action to build the social service sector’s capability and capacity to address behavioural addictions. We are working with other government agencies, as well as social service agencies (SSAs), to coordinate and enhance service delivery, so that affected individuals can receive timely and effective support.
Understanding behavioural addictions
Addiction is the continued and compulsive consumption of a substance or behaviour despite harm to self or others. While many people associate addiction with substances like drugs or alcohol, behavioural addictions can also be harmful.
Behavioural addiction is when a person feels a strong urge to keep doing a certain activity or behaviour repeatedly, even if it starts to cause problems in daily life, relationships and finances. Some types of behavioural addiction include screen or device use, gambling, gaming, shopping, sex or pornography consumption.
Recognising the difference between bad habits and behavioural addictions can be challenging.
Key warning signs to look out for include:
Trying to stop the behaviour but not being able to and spending too much time or money on it.
Skipping work, school, or important things, having fights or problems with friends and family, or giving up hobbies.
Keeping up the behaviour even when it’s clearly causing problems for yourself or others
Understanding these patterns is the first step towards recovery. With the right support, recovery is possible. No one has to struggle alone.
Support resources
You may explore the resources below if you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one.
Capability Circles: Addiction Expert Series
Organised by NCSS, the capability circles series aims to equip social service professionals with knowledge on addiction to strengthen their practice. Policy makers, social service professionals, and frontline practitioners are invited to share their insights on addiction and foster collaborative learning.
National Addictions Management Service (NAMS)
NAMS provides psychiatric treatment for people with behavioural and substance addictions. Clients are managed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
If you or your loved one need support on problems arising from gambling addiction, you may visit the services and resources available on the NCPG website.
TOUCH Community Services
TOUCH Counselling & Psychological Services runs DigitalMINDSET, a 6-to-9-month counselling intervention programme supporting youths with excessive device use and emotional regulation issues. They help youths balance device usage with real-life responsibilities.
WE CARE Community Services
Supported by NCSS, WE CARE Community Services runs a treatment centre offering counselling and programmes for substance and behavioural addictions. Find out more about their Sober Living Framework and Project SAFE 1.1.
Vaping Recovery Programmes
Beyond behavioural addictions, NCSS has been supporting the national response to vaping by preparing the social sector through capability building. You may visit the Stop Vaping website for more information.