Posted on 15 June 2017

Are you constantly planning your next overseas adventure? Do you consider two week holidays as 'hardly worth the effort', plumping instead for three-month odysseys? Does the idea of staying in one place for more than a fortnight have you lunging for your passport?

If not, then you may well know someone else like this – most of us do. But can it be called travel addiction? And what does it say about our psychology if we have it?

Apparently, the word 'addiction' can't just be bandied around – it must possess three characteristics: a desire to engage in a certain type of behaviour; a denial of the consequent downsides; and a failure to change that behaviour. Going by these rules, it seems, travel addiction isn't possible.

“Travel might be more along the line of obsessive," explains Dr. Daniel Epstein, a psychotherapist who specialises in addictions in Boca Raton, Florida, quoted in a Thrillist article. "But there's no evidence that it's a legitimate addiction because it has no neurological element of instant gratification.”

In the article Dr. Epstein goes on to explain that everything humans do is in pursuit of a dopamine shot. That includes shopping, winning a five-a-side football match, and feeling your heart leap when you see the booking confirmation for your flight to Bangkok.

However, in a recent Conde Naste article, Dr. Michael Brein, a social psychologist who specialises in travel and intercultural communication, said legitimate travel addiction "is possible", although "figuring out what causes it is incredibly complicated.”

But whatever term we use, there's no doubt that holidays make us happy – at least while we're away. There are countless studies on the subject, including a famous Dutch survey which concluded "Vacationers display a higher degree of pre-trip as well as post-trip happiness."

Although it seems that most of the joy is derived during the holiday itself.

“Impulse-control disorder”

One of the best known “pathological tourists" was a French gas fitter called Jean-Albert Dadas, who arrived in a Bordeaux hospital in 1886, having deserted the army five years earlier. In that half-decade he had travelled constantly, taking in Berlin, Moscow, Prague and Constantinople (Istanbul). Not bad considering there was no easyJet. And he only stopped because exhaustion compelled him to.

Psychiatrists treating Dadas called his condition "dromomania".

In 2000 the term was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which described it as a “psychiatric problem” and an “impulse-control disorder”.

The manual states that “sufferers have an abnormal impulse to travel; they are prepared to spend beyond their means, sacrifice jobs, lovers, and security in their lust for new experiences.”

With travel more popular than ever, "Dromomania" has found new light, sometimes used to describe modern-day "country baggers" or "competitive travellers". These individuals collect countries and experiences that way some people collect garden gnomes.

As the Conde Naste article points out, more than 30,000 people are currently competing to be the world's most travelled person.

Years ago, The Guinness Book of World Records ditched the “World's Most Travelled Man” title for being too subjective. But the words of one title holder are illuminating. When trial Lawyer John Clouse discovered a rival was about to take his crown, he stated: “This title cost me six marriages, and I don't intend to surrender my sword lightly!”

Most of us, however, shouldn't have to lose six spouses in pursuit of our travel fixes.

Travel addiction in the social media age

As far as enjoying recognition for our travel exploits, there are more ways than ever to be seen. Whether you've just climbed Mount Kinabalu, just arrived at the Taj Mahal, or just sprawled yourself out on a pristine Thai beach, social media channels like Instagram and Facebook are potent ways to show friends, family – and complete strangers – how intrepid you are.

With more leisure time than ever before, it's little wonder travel is so popular. The fact that it has become a status symbol akin to a new car or new smartphone shouldn't mean we forget another reason why travel is so adored: At its best it is fulfilling, relaxing – and fun.

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Whether you like your holidays short and sweet, or fancy yourself as a bit of a Marco Polo, starttravel.co.uk offer travel insurance policies for both quick breaks and long sojourns.

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