Process Addiction Treatment
What is a process addiction?
Unlike substance addiction (like to drugs or alcohol) process addiction is a psychological dependence on a behavioral activity or process (gambling, sexual activity, shopping). Those who suffer from process addictions display the same characteristics and behavior patterns as those with substance addictions (including withdrawal symptoms). Because of this psychological treatment and rehabilitation is necessary in order to overcome the addiction. The medical community considers process addiction a treatable medical condition.
Types of process addiction
In addition to gambling, shopping, and sexual activity, there are other types of process addictions. Among them are
- Cleaning
- Dieting
- Eating
- Exercise
- Pornography
- Religious obsession
- The internet
- Work (workaholic)
Process addiction is a complex issue, and is affected by many factors, including genetics, environment, psychological profile, and social status. While there does not seem to be one single factor, each plays some role. In general, process addictions begin on a small scale and gradually expand. In some cases, process addictions may be an unintended side effect of treatment for substance addictions (for example, overeating that results from quitting smoking).
What to do if someone has a process addiction
The first step in helping someone with a process addiction is to identify the addictive behavior, then seek help. After this, there must be a commitment to ending the behavior, which can be difficult and may require extended periods in therapy. As with substance addiction, there are recognizable behaviors that indicate a process addiction. They include
- Continued participation in the activity, regardless of any damaging consequences
- Belief that control has been lost and the activity cannot be stopped
- Reliance on defense mechanisms to hide, justify, or excuse the behavior or activity
- Development of tolerance
- Withdrawal Symptoms
Treating process addiction
Process addictions rarely appear out of the blue, and most have underlying issues that contribute to the addiction. Treatment programs with qualified staff members who are experienced in behavioral analysis are best equipped to evaluate a patient and develop a treatment program that addresses all the variables.
Studies indicate that substance addicts have a process addiction as well, and perhaps more than one. Or they may develop a new one to replace the one being treated, as is found in the relationship between the social and behavioral aspects of tobacco or alcohol addiction. The ability of the staff of a treatment facility to identify these circumstances is vital to the recovery process, as failing to address other conditions may defeat the entire treatment process.
More about sex addiction
Unlike other process addictions, requiring abstinence of the sex (and love) addict is unrealistic. Equivalent to asking the overeater to stop eating, expecting a cessation of these normal activities poses a unique problem. While in treatment, therapy must employ an approach emphasizing redirection of these impulses to healthy expressions to bring about feelings of well-being and increased self-esteem.