Sometimes, a person can struggle with what is known as a behavioral addiction. For many, addiction is associated with alcohol or substances like opiates. However, some behaviors can be just as addictive as drugs and alcohol. Behavioral addiction is often not discussed openly due to the stigma and shame associated with it. It’s commonly believed that a person can simply stop an addictive behavior. Though this belief is false, it doesn’t stop those struggling with behavioral addiction from feeling alone and isolated.
That’s why when someone has a behavioral addiction, it has to be treated as seriously as a chemical addiction. Behavioral addiction requires specialized treatment to recover from and an environment where they cannot engage in that behavior. That’s why addiction treatment facilities like Painted Desert Recovery offer treatment for behavioral addictions. At such a facility, it’s understood how severe a behavioral addiction can be and not something to be dismissed or ignored.
To fully grasp why behavioral addiction requires such treatment, we must first fully understand what a behavioral addiction is.
What Is a Behavioral Addiction?
A behavioral addiction is when someone is addicted to a specific behavior or the feeling they get from performing said behavior. These behaviors often feel exciting or pleasurable to perform. This can make it hard to stop the behaviors, especially when they start to escalate or become more frequent. Without proper professional treatment, a behavioral addiction can quickly cause harm to the individual and those around them. In a way, they are similar to a chemical addiction in how they can overtake a person’s life, often without the individual realizing it.
The signs of a behavioral addiction are similar to a chemical one. Those struggling with a behavioral addiction may attempt to hide their activity from others. They may have a noticeable shift in personality, with uncharacteristic lying or irritability when confronted about their worrying behavior. Over time, a person will begin to neglect their responsibilities and relationships in favor of the addictive behavior. Behavioral addictions can be dangerous and cause financial, familial, legal, and personal harm. The only way to treat a behavioral addiction is through professional help at an addiction treatment facility.
Some of the most commonly seen behavioral addictions are:
- Gambling
- Sex
- Shopping (Note that hoarding, though sometimes seen alongside a shopping addiction, is not considered an addiction itself. It is instead known as a hoarding disorder.)
- Internet
- Food
- Video games (Also known as internet gaming disorder)
- Exercise
- Tanning
- Thrill-seeking
Why Are Some Behaviors Addictive?
The reason why it can be hard to overcome a behavioral addiction is because of the “high” they give. This is caused by a neurotransmitter known as dopamine. Dopamine is active in the areas of the brain that give you feelings of motivation, satisfaction, and pleasure. It also has a role in how the brain regulates several bodily functions, such as memory, sleep, concentration, and mood. Dopamine triggers the reward centers of our brain when we experience pleasure. Addictions hijack this part of the brain, which makes them difficult to stop.
Over time, a person begins to feel wrong without this constant “hit” of dopamine. So they “chase” more and more “hits” to experience the same pleasure as before. You may have heard someone mention getting a “dopamine hit” when engaging in a thrilling or exciting pleasurable activity. This is what they are referring to, a “high” which they come to depend on. The more “thrilling” and pleasure-inducing an activity is, the more likely it is to be addictive. Remember, the neurotransmitter itself is not the cause of addiction, nor can someone become addicted to dopamine. Over time, these behaviors escalate in both frequency and severity.
Besides the interaction between reward and pleasure, there are other reasons why particular behaviors can become addictive. Genes and family history can influence how easily someone can develop a behavioral addiction. Some behaviors, such as gambling, are deliberately designed to be addictive. Loot boxes in video games are an example of an engaging behavior designed to be addictive. Those who have difficulties with regulation or have “addictive personalities” are more likely to develop a behavioral addiction.
Getting Treatment for a Behavioral Addiction
The only way to recover from a behavioral addiction is to seek professional addiction treatment. Addiction treatment facilities, such as Painted Desert Recovery, utilize specialized therapies designed to treat behavioral addictions. The first step is to provide safe and compassionate spaces for the client to recover. These spaces remove common addiction triggers and prevent clients from engaging in their addiction. Then, it’s treating both the addiction and its underlying cause with the use of various therapies. The most common therapy a client will use in behavioral addiction treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps them stop or redirect harmful thoughts and behaviors.
Another therapy a client may engage with to help them recover from a behavioral addiction is group therapy. This is a type of therapy that allows peers to support each other and share hard-earned wisdom. Group therapy sessions are led by a treatment provider, who guides the therapy session to ensure all clients receive the care they need. It’s a place where clients learn that they are not alone and others are living with the same problems they are. It can be comforting to know that you aren’t alone, especially when you are struggling.
The severity of the addiction will determine the treatment plan a client will receive. Treatment plans are highly individualized and custom-tailored to address the needs of each client. Sometimes, a client can utilize day treatment and only meet for treatment a few times a week. Others may need something more frequent, such as an intensive outpatient program (IOP), which meets several times a week. With access to quality treatment, anyone can recover from a behavioral addiction, including yourself and your loved ones.
When most people think of addiction, they think about alcohol or drugs. However, some behaviors can be addictive as well. Like any other addiction, they require specialized treatment to recover from. Many may not realize that they are struggling with a behavioral addiction until it causes harm to themselves and their relationships. That’s why at Painted Desert Recovery in New Harmony, Utah, care is taken to educate the public about the signs of behavioral addiction as well as provide quality and compassionate treatment. Women everywhere can find a safe place to recover from their addiction without judgment. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, don’t delay in getting help. Call (844) 540-0353 today.
