Experts warn that any substance or behavior can become addictive, when it causes pleasure and stimulates the production of dopamine. Cigarettes, alcohol, sex, drugs, but also Internet chat rooms, cell phones, shopping, gambling or too much exercise.

From the point of view of psychotherapists and doctors, the most common addiction problems in Poland are still alcohol, and drugs, smokers don't seek professional help that often. Patients with new types of dependence are reportedly a growing problem.

'When it comes to addictions, more and more often we get patients with so-called new, untypical kinds of addictions, most often internet and gambling addictions. Some of them come for treatment of their own will, but most often they are pressured by their relatives to do so.  When it comes to gambling addicts this is usually when their doubts have already mounted and they are in conflict with the law, or when the family exerts some kind of pressure on them,' says Dr Waldemar Rudnicki treats addiction patients at Medox clinic near Warsaw.