What is a "Process Addiction" and Steps To Begin Healing
Counseling for Anxiety & Addictions in Long Island
The hidden addictions- process addictions: what they are and how to recognize them
In discussions about addiction, substances like alcohol and drugs often take center stage. However, there exists another category of addiction that is equally impactful but often less talked about — process addictions. Unlike substance addictions, which involve physical substances, process addictions revolve around behaviors or activities that become compulsive and potentially harmful.
These behaviors trigger the brain's reward system, leading to a cycle of craving and satisfaction similar to substance abuse. Common examples of process addictions include: gambling addiction, internet and gaming addiction, sex and porn addiction, shopping addiction, and food and exercise addictions.
What drives individuals toward these behaviors?
It's a complex interplay of underlying emotional issues, trauma, and a desperate search for relief.
Many people turn to process addictions because, paradoxically, addiction itself initially serves as a solution rather than the problem. These behaviors offer temporary reprieve from emotional turmoil, stress, or unresolved trauma. The rush of dopamine and serotonin provides a fleeting sense of comfort and distraction, numbing painful emotions temporarily. For individuals grappling with emotional overload or trauma triggers, lacking healthy coping mechanisms, these addictive behaviors can seem like the only viable means of self-medication.
It's understandable why someone might turn to these behaviors—they work, at least momentarily. The compulsive shopping spree may momentarily ease stress, or the binge-eating might provide a fleeting sense of pleasure and control. However, over time, these behaviors cease to serve their purpose. What initially seemed like a solution evolves into a vicious cycle that exacerbates problems rather than solving them. Financial ruin, strained relationships, health complications—all become collateral damage of unchecked addiction.
Behind these addictive behaviors lies a critical deficit in coping skills and emotion regulation.
Often, individuals struggling with process addictions were never taught healthy ways to manage stress or navigate difficult emotions. Without these essential tools, addiction becomes the default coping mechanism—a way to survive, albeit temporarily.
It's crucial to recognize that there is no shame in having an addiction. It's a human response to profound challenges, a means of attempting to regain control in a chaotic world. However, acknowledging this does not diminish the need for change. Recovery from process addictions necessitates learning new, healthier coping strategies and developing robust emotional resilience.
The first step: admitting when we have a problem
How to know if you might have a process addiction
You might be asking yourself “I engage in some of these behavior, but how do I know if my behavior is normal or if it’s become an addiction?”
Here are a few helpful questions to ask yourself when determining whether you behaviors may be addictive:
You can go through these questions for each behavior (for example: screen time, exercise, gambling, disordered eating, sexual activity, work, shopping, self-harming behaviors) for a self-evaluation on whether the behavior might be addictive.
Loss of control
Does it feel like your use of this behavior is out of your control?
Does it feel like you can choose when to engage in this behavior or not?
Do you find yourself engaging in this behavior even when you told yourself you would not?
Have you tried to stop but found yourself repeatedly engaging anyways?
2. Neglecting Responsibilities
Do you neglect responsibilities in order to engage in this behavior?
Do you prioritize this behavior over work, school, or relationships?
3. Negative Consequences
Have harmful things happened due to engaging in these behaviors?
Do you continue engaging in these behaviors despite negative consequences?
Has this behavior affected you finances, relationships, health, or wellbeing?
4. Withdrawal Symptoms
When you can’t use this behavior, do you feel irritable, anxious, restless, or angry?
When you have to delay using this behavior, do you have difficulty focusing on anything else until you can use this behavior again?
If you answered yes to some of these questions, it’s possible you might be struggling with a process addiction. The good thing is that help is out there for you. You don’t need to struggle alone.
If you think you might have a process addiction, please see a professional or reach out to us here.
Therapy for Addictions and Processing Addictions In Long Island & New York
Asking for help | What help is available to me?
Individual therapy stands as a cornerstone in addiction recovery, offering personalized support tailored to your unique challenges and strengths. Through one-on-one sessions with a qualified therapist, you can delve into the underlying factors driving your addiction. This includes understanding the triggers that lead to substance use or compulsive behaviors, as well as exploring the emotional wounds or trauma that may underpin the urge to escape reality.
2. Group therapy
As the saying goes, "The opposite of addiction is connection." Group therapy harnesses the power of interpersonal relationships to facilitate healing and growth. Engaging in a group setting under the guidance of a skilled therapist allows you to share experiences, challenges, and triumphs with others facing similar struggles. This collective support fosters empathy, validation, and a sense of belonging.
At Integrative Psychotherapy, we offer an experiential therapy group. specifically designed for healing from trauma and addiction. This structured environment utilizes action-oriented methods such as psychodrama, parts work, and creative arts therapies to explore and process unresolved trauma. Through learning about coping skills and gaining psychoeducation on trauma and addiction, you'll gain valuable insights and skills to manage urges, cope with triggers, and cultivate emotional resilience.
3. 12 step meetings
For many individuals, the structured approach of 12 step meetings offers invaluable support and camaraderie on the road to recovery. These meetings, such as Gamblers Anonymous (GA), Overeaters Anonymous (OA), Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), and Sexaholics Anonymous (SA), follow the principles outlined in the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. They provide a framework for self-reflection, spiritual growth, and accountability.
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