Honest Desire Drug Addiction Rehab Centers South Florida

 

 

 

Understanding Process Addictions

Addictions based on an activity or process are becoming more prevalent in the addiction community. Process addictions include activities such as gambling, shopping, watching porn, sex/love, Internet surfing and eating disorders. The overuse or dependence on these activities can be equally as debilitating, if not more so than, more common addictions such as alcohol and drugs. Evidence based practices suggest that it’s not enough to treat these addictions one at a time but rather simultaneously in order to provide an individual with stronger tools for longer lasting recovery. Honest Desire Addiction Wellness Centers treats process addictions as well as addictions to alcohol and drugs.

 

Gambling Addiction

The games gamblers play can be defined as risking something of value on an activity or event in which the outcome is uncertain.  It comes with the hopes of winning something of material value. Approximately 81% of Americans view casino gambling as an acceptable form of entertainment. In 2011, it was reported that 27% of Americans visited a casino within the past 12 months and 75% of all Americans consider casinos a good value. Based on those percentages, gambling is prevalent in American society. If the statistics of 1 in 4 families are affected by addiction, there’s a high likelihood that many of these families are impacted by a gambling addiction.

 

Shopping Addiction

5 Warning Signs Shopping addiction, commonly referred to as “shop-aholism,” is a less common but equally as destructive addiction as drugs or alcohol. Shopping addiction is a process addiction in which an individual cannot control his or her impulse to purchase things. The process addictions differ from chemical addictions in that it is a behavior or set of behaviors, compulsive in nature that a person becomes addicted to. Although there is no substance involved, behavioral addictions are very powerful due to the fact that engaging in the behaviors triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, causing one to feel compelled to repeat the behavior in order to get the “high.”

 

Sex and Love Addiction

When you hear the terms sex addiction and love addiction, you may conclude that these problems don’t apply to you. These addictions can be severe, leading to illegal activities such as exhibitionism and voyeurism, but they can also be more subtle. Love and sex addiction are often masked by other more prominent concerns such as alcohol and drug addictions and eating disorders. Left unaddressed, sex and love addiction can contribute to chronic relapse and prevent an individual from healing in all areas of their life.

 

Love addiction and sex addiction are intimacy disorders that fulfill unmet needs for control, power, love or affection. Both diseases are strongly associated with early childhood trauma and carry a great deal of shame. Like all addictions, sex and love addiction are progressive in nature. Over time, the addict craves more frequent, intense or unusual experiences to achieve the initial sense of relief or euphoria. Sex and love become destructive to the individual’s health, relationships, career and/or finances, yet the addict is unable to control their behavior.

 

If you or someone you love is struggling with a Behavioral Addiction, contact Honest Desire today to learn more about our substance abuse treatment programs. Our experienced team understands the complex causes of gambling, shopping and sex abuse, and can help patients find the path to long-term recovery.