While most people perceive a great deal of distance between themselves and severe addictions, millions of people across the globe suffer from a dependence on substances or, indeed, behaviors. Many similarities exist between the two addiction types. For starters, both types bring about compulsions stronger than rational will. Contrary to popular belief, behavioral addictions such as an internet addiction hold the same power over sufferers as drug or alcohol dependency.
Addiction experts and researchers have concluded that any activity stimulating an individual can become a source of addiction. When habits cross over into compulsions and behaviors become obligatory for individuals, they transition into addictions. Physical dependency in substance addiction adds a layer and deepens the issues, but the same compulsive element lies at the heart of all dependencies.
Addicts wishing to break their addiction, whatever the dependency, require professional help. Today’s best therapists are apt at delivering a tailored approach in line with the client’s addiction issues.
This article examines the similarities and differences between substance and behavioral addiction while outlining the experts’ approach to tackling them.
Substance addiction explained
In the US, medical professionals are now classifying chemical addictions as ‘substance use disorder’ to help eliminate stigma and support sufferers. Substances include alcohol, marijuana, opioids, amphetamines, methamphetamines, and cocaine. When individuals become dependent on any of these drugs, their behaviors change, with their addiction becoming the top priority. They may struggle to maintain relationships or lose interest in them. Work and even enjoyable pastimes no longer appeal, as an addict’s dependency becomes the preliminary driving force.
Cravings cost substance use disorder sufferers the ability to live life to the extent that they can no longer think clearly. Even if addicts want to stop using the substance, the physical and psychological cravings make quitting nigh impossible.
How mental health experts treat substance addiction
Substance use disorder recovery starts with a medically supervised detoxification process. Most sufferers spend time in rehab, where professionals combine psychological therapy with medication and group support programs. The aim is to identify the root of the dependency while minimizing the physical withdrawal symptoms. Group sessions contribute significantly to recovery, allowing sufferers to share and support each other on the road to recovery.
Behavioral addiction explained
Currently, medical experts only recognize gambling and internet gaming as official dependencies due to the lack of research and data. No standardized diagnostic criteria are available. And yet, many symptoms are common among most behavioral dependencies. Many argue that TV, food, and shopping addictions are equally powerful, leaving sufferers unable to maintain a good quality of life. Over the coming years, those compulsions will likely join the list of behavioral addictions.
Medical professionals find it difficult to pinpoint the line where a habit crosses into the sphere of compulsion or addiction. Someone may enjoy shopping immensely, but the question remains: when is a lot of shopping too much shopping? Another point of contention is whether, for example, going on Instagram can be an addiction or, indeed, any habit for that matter.
People with behavior addictions spend excessive time pursuing their compulsive activity. Work, relationships, and other pursuits take second place, daily tasks fall aside, and behavior addicts struggle to cope with their responsibilities.
Most addicts use their compulsive behavior to mask underlying issues while growing increasingly stressed about their cravings and satisfying them. They become irritable, at times, aggressive, and they frequently lie to loved ones due to their compulsions.
If they decide to quit, they become anxious and irritable and may resume their behavior, even if doing so distresses loved ones or causes damage to themselves.
How mental health experts treat behavioral addiction
Skilled mental health experts, like graduates with a counseling doctorate online, use a combination of methods to help sufferers overcome behavioral dependency. The degree course offered by American International College, for example, trains experts in outreach strategies, recovery counseling, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to name a few. Of these, the primary tool is enrolling sufferers in CBT to help them recognize patterns and change entrenched and damaging practices.
During recovery, CBT experts teach behavioral addicts to identify connections between feelings, thoughts, actions, triggers, and the dependency they are battling. After recognizing patterns and establishing new routines and coping mechanisms, behavioral addiction sufferers can overcome their dependencies and start living life again.
At the heart of CBT, addicts acquire the skills to manage their compulsions in three steps:
- Recognize and understand the triggers for addictive behaviors.
- Avoid triggers as much as possible.
- Cope and develop CBT strategies to deal with thoughts and emotions at the heart of the addiction.
Alongside CBT, addiction experts help people with behavioral compulsions to uncover the original cause. They may recommend psychological therapy or psychoanalysis so that sufferers can overcome the painful issues that led to the addiction.
Like substance misuse sufferers, behavioral addicts greatly benefit from group therapy sessions. Professionally led and self-help groups facilitate creating a mutually supportive environment. Participants can learn from each other while experiencing all the social and emotional benefits of a group environment.
While behavior dependencies do not entail physical withdrawal, overcoming them can be painful and exhausting. Professional expertise and support are crucial, not only for the sufferers but also for their families and friends.
The importance of a tailored treatment approach
Substance dependencies and behavioral addictions are exceedingly destructive for individuals and their loved ones. Their lives suffer severe disruption, and even if a sufferer longs to quit, it can take a long time to return to an addiction-free existence. Seeking professional help is the most effective and easiest way to overcome addictive behaviors and put an end to substance misuse.
CBT lies at the heart of recovery for behavioral addicts, while detoxification, medication, and therapy combine to help substance misuse sufferers. The underlying pain point must likely surface to help sufferers understand and heal regardless of what addiction they experience.
Professionals always take a personal and tailored approach, as every addict presents with a different story and circumstances. This requires individually chosen tools and a great deal of sensitivity and emotional intelligence from the professional.
