substance and non substance addiction have a lot of similarities in natural history and phenomenology. individuals can be addicted at a very young age, it has been reported the adolescents and teens have a higher rate of getting addicted than older adults(stud. 2003). both addictions have natural histories that may exhibit chronic, relapsing patterns, but with many people recovering on their own without formal treatments(grant 2010). pathological gambling usually begins in childhood or adolescence, with males tending to start at an earlier age than with females(stud. 2003). according to the j Am acad psychiatry law, substance and non-substance addicts are more likely to commit illegal acts, such as theft and