Persons who feel they are unable to stop engaging in repetitive behaviors that are harming their relationships, work, finances, health, or daily functioning may benefit from process addictions treatment. In contrast to substance addictions, process addictions are those that are rewarding through activities rather than drugs or alcohol. WellMind Therapy Center’s goal is to see behavior in relation to the root cause, as well as to create healthier methods for coping.
What are Process Addictions?
Process addictions, also referred to as behavioral addictions, are repetitive behaviors that are hard to control and cause harm. For a while the behavior might be exciting, comforting, relieving, or even escaping an unpleasant situation, but eventually problems may arise in significant domains of life.
Examples may include:
- Gambling addiction
- Problematic gaming or internet overuse
- Compulsive shopping
- Too much time spent on the internet or social media.
- Compulsive sexual behaviors
- Other repetitive behaviours that disrupt social and/or occupational functioning
Not all of the activities that people do regularly and that they like are addictive. Loss of control and meaningful harm is the key concern. Gambling disorder” and “gaming disorder” are listed as addictive behavior disorders in ICD-11 by the World Health Organization.
Signs You May Need Help
If you notice the signs early it will be easier to change an unhealthy pattern. Professional assistance is needed if you:
- Maintain the behavior despite a decision to stop the behavior
- Put more time/ money into the behaviour than planned.
- Tends to get impatient, nervous or jumpy when attempting to lower it
- Keep it a secret from family/friend.
- Have issues at work, school or at home
- Use the behavior to avoid stress, sadness, feeling lonely or feeling anxious
- Cease to have interest in other things
- Experiences recurring financial, relationship or personal impact
- Try to reduce but repeat the pattern
Don’t assume that if you have these signs, you definitively have a behavioral addiction. A licensed mental health professional can evaluate the big picture and determine if structured professional help is needed.
What Causes Process Addictions?
No specific cause. Emotional, psychological, environmental and biological factors can all play a role in the development of behavioural addictions.
Some individuals employ rewarding behaviors to alter challenging emotions. For instance, gambling can be a source of excitement, and gaming can be a way to escape stress. Shopping can sometimes make people feel better, and too much use of the internet can lead them to feel less lonely.
As time goes on, it can become a pattern of coping. This can make it more difficult to become aware of healthier methods of coping with feelings and normal problems.
Process Addictions Treatment can assist you discover these patterns without judgment.
How Process Addictions Treatment Works
Care begins with a person and not just the behaviour.
Your concerns, daily activities, emotional status, relationships, and the overall effect of the behavior may be discussed first by a practitioner during a clinical or psychological evaluation. This initial assessment enables providers to pinpoint triggers and associated feelings including anxiety, depression, trauma, or difficulty with emotion regulation.
Treatment may include:
Individual Counseling
In one-on-one counseling, a private space can be used to discuss thoughts, feelings, triggers and behaviors. You can take steps toward change that are manageable for you.
Cognitive Behavioral Strategies
CB therapies can assist you pinpoint the thoughts that are supporting unhealthy behaviours, and change them for more useful ones. These skills can involve learning to recognize triggers, postpone urges, alter routines, and engage in alternative coping behaviors.
Coping and Emotional Regulation Skills
Teach stress, frustration, loneliness, boredom and other negative feelings and emotions and how to manage them will help lessen the use of repetitive behaviors.
Relapse Prevention
Recovery is not a mere stopping of a behavior. This also means making plans for when urges might return. A relapse prevention plan will help you identify when a relapse is occurring and take steps before the behavior gets out of hand.
Support for Co-Occurring Concerns
Process addictions may be co-occurring with other mental health issues. Working with anxiety, depression, trauma, or other emotional issues can be a crucial component in establishing lasting change.
Take the First Step Toward Change
Don’t wait until things get really bad before seeking help when your behavior is beginning to cause problems. Gambling, gaming, shopping, Internet use, or any repetitive activity that is getting out of hand could be the reason to seek professional help and guidance.
Contact WellMind Therapy Center to talk about your concerns and determine if process addictions treatment is suitable for you. Reaching out is a private, empowering first step toward understanding your behavior and developing healthier coping skills.
Why Choose WellMind Therapy Center?
At WellMind Therapy Center, you receive compassionate mental health care tailored to you. It’s not about shaming you, or depriving you of activities you like! Instead, it is to assist you in comprehending what you’re doing, getting a handle on it, fixing relationships, and making better practices.
Seeking help is a sign that you are ready to make a change not a sign of failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are process addictions?
Process addictions are repeated behaviours that become hard to control and persist despite negative repercussions. These may involve gambling, gaming, shopping, and some compulsive online and sexual activities. A professional assessment will help to determine if a behavior has become clinically significant.
Is gambling considered a behavioral addiction?
Yes. Gambling disorder is considered a behavioural addiction. Gambling disorder is considered a behavioral addiction by the American Psychiatric Association, and by the World Health Organization is classified as an addictive behavior disorder in ICD-11.
Is gaming addiction a real mental health condition?
ICD-11 considers the gaming disorder when 2 or more of the following criteria are satisfied: (1) impaired control of the game, (2) increased priority given to the game over other life activities, (3) persistence of the game despite negative consequences, and (4) significant impairment. APA categorizes Internet Gaming Disorder as a disorder that needs more research.
Can process addictions be treated without medication?
Treatment will vary depending on the behavior and the individual’s needs. Triggers, thinking patterns, coping skills and routines are frequently targeted through counseling and behavioral strategies. After an individual assessment, a qualified professional can suggest an appropriate approach.
When should I seek help for a process addiction?
Seek professional assistance if the behavior seems to be out of control, or if it’s impacting the relationships, finances, work, school, sleep, emotional health, or day-to-day functioning. With early intervention, one can discover patterns and learn to engage in more healthy responses to urges and stress.