There's a new health alert for those of you who tan on a regular basis. Doctors now say you could have an addiction.

Dermatologists at Wake Forest University gave frequent tanners a narcotic-blocking drug before they tanned and those people suffered withdrawal symptoms similar to those of drug addicts. Test subjects also had adverse reactions when they went into a tanning bed that blocked ultraviolet rays.

"I took the drug and on the first, I had to drop out on the first time when I tanned. I had jitteryness. I had nausea," said study participant Tara Burton.

"Woh! That explains why people go to the beach. That explains why tanning is
an epidemic in America," said Dr. Steve Feldman, Wake Forest University.

The research team concluded that addiction is what prompts some people to tan even though they're aware of the dangers.

"The heat just feels nurturing."

"It makes me feel alive. It makes me feel like there's nothing that could go
wrong."

"I always feel better about myself."

Doctors are also looking into whether addiction is a factor in the growing number of skin cancer cases across the country.

The American Academy of Dermatology says 40 percent of teenagers are frequent tanners. Doctors are reporting more cases of tumors on the torso so they suspect tanning bed use is to blame. Overall, they expect 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer. And they'll continue to look into how addiction may be playing a role.