Addiction means physical and psychological dependance on a certain habit, drugs,  or others so that living becomes organically and psychologically dependent on it and it is difficult to leave it. Addiction affects the functioning of the body and brain, and entails serious damage and problems affecting families, social relationships, workplaces and studies.

There are many types of addiction, the most famous of which are gambling and drugs, however، in recently, a new addiction has been added to the list, which is cryptocurrency trading addiction.

Despite this newness that appeared with the invention of Bitcoin 14 years ago, they have become a threat to the health of the trader. Cryptocurrency trading addiction, like any other addiction, can destroy a person's life if not treated.

Previously, gambling disorder has been officially recognized as a behavioral addiction by the medical community , pathological gambling was defined as an impulse control issue . Excessive preoccupation with online video games is also considered a matter that deserves further research, as it is addictive.

Now a growing number of mental health professionals are adding cryptocurrency as a problematic hotbed akin to gambling, and in some ways even more insidious.

Actually, no one can deny that all humans crave  wealth , running after money in various ways, indeed, the human brain craves money as it craves many other things, and the dopamine level rises when he gets money or when he takes a risk for money such as gambling, drug dealing or crypto trading, this latter involves speculating on price movements through a CFD trading account or buying and selling base currencies through an exchange.

 Cryptocurrency trading is  profitable but somewhat a complicated process, especially for beginners, but this profession, or let's say a trade, is increasing and sweeping across all the  continents of the world. Most People began to turn to this trade because it is considered profitable in their view, and a quick way to richness ,  it has also become competitive with gambling to the extent that some people have reached an addiction.

Accordingly , psychiatrists have identified certain symptoms of cryptocurrency addiction, among which I mention the most important here :

1- Spending a lot of time trading cryptocurrencies, checking prices and constantly thinking about the business.
2-Total engagement,while avoiding other activities such as work, social interactions and sports.

3-Debts and financial problems related to speculation and trading losses.
4-Lying to friends and family about other people's activities or problems.

5-Mood swings, hopelessness and depression caused by the digital currency market.

6-Physical symptoms such as anxiety, causing sweating and tremors.

7-An unrealistic views like saying "it's just not his luck" thinking that next time would be his turn to win.

Furthermore , there are some clinics that provide treatment services for cryptocurrency addiction, traders reach the point of addiction to these currencies, as with the spread of encrypted currencies and the rise in their value globally, some are trying to make a profit in that field, which has become one of the important areas globally. 

In fact, the first case of crypto addiction appeared in 2016, after which more than 250 patients were also addicted , and the number increased especially after the collapse of the FTX exchange. 

A psychiatrist called , Thilo Beck, says that compulsive cryptocurrency traders are simply responding to the reward mechanisms in their brains.

"You do it to get the sensation, euphoria...and you have to do it over and over, to feel high."

Numerous different studies were made to underline the severity of cryptocurrency addiction. Here's the statement of an anonymous addicted patient , who is 38 years old, has two children and owner of a marketing company, said; he first got involved in cryptocurrency in 2016 after hearing about Ethereum. He said that he was,

"absolutely obsessed with it"; He started borrowing money to support his investments, including personal loans from friends and family. Eventually, the patient started making excuses and lying to borrow money to invest in crypto. The patient said he started checking prices a lot and became obsessed with cryptocurrencies; and he spent along with his friends, all their free time watching crypto videos and “planning” new ideas.

Today, addiction defines an industry and is not limited to cryptocurrency. For example, in China, according to the Chinese Internet Network Information Center, at least 33 million people are immersed in web games  artificial intelligence and other entertainments.

The rest of the countries did not differ from this matter, and a sufficient  research remains the only way to avoid severe financial risks and ruin of human lives.

Some clinics have already started offering and prescribing treatment for people with this condition.

The treatment is derived from that of gambling addiction, besides the causes of crypto addiction, namely, the three factors which have been identified as a tool to handle this concern . First, cryptocurrency is still a
 recent field . The second thing is the volatility, and with it the dopamine rush of risky trading. And the third factor is that despite the madness that can prevail on the cryptocurrency side; However, cryptocurrencies have taken the form of legitimate investments. This makes it easier for people to justify speculative bets, which in some cases are little more than rolling a dice. in addition to; Cryptocurrencies are traded globally, 24 hours along 7 days , with a smartphone tap or mouse click.
That's why experts say all of this could be a recipe to resolve this trouble. 

To conclude, the crypto industry maybe be still too young for the problem addiction to be fully understood or treated . Many people don't believe that they are really addicted to cryptocurrency, like any other addiction, the patient never admits that he is addicted . On the other hand, at a time when the world is witnessing the growth of digital currency traders, addicted people also increase and the consequences may develop into dangerous ones, if not taken into consideration. Most doctors agreed on the same treatment of gambling addiction using the same medical process, because they share common causes and effects.  I think that cryptocurrency trading addiction is a new pathology whose roots emanates from greediness for wealth and the sensation of euphoria or extasy felt while taking high risks. It will be a great problem once ignored not only for the addicted individuals by ruining their lives , but also the pioneers of the crypto world who take partly the responsibility through their predictions which may hit or disappoint plus the absence of regulations and laws that should organise the crypto markets. 

Thanks for taking time to read. 

Resources

https://www.ft.com/content/0f879851-5c74-42ef-914b-154cd4e9a881

https://www.ft.com/content/f8670d81-2632-498f-8b18-4d2ba14101f7

https://www.coindesk.com/layer2/2022/05/04/i-totally-obsessed-over-it-how-crypto-addiction-almost-ruined-my-life/