Behavioral Addictions Other Than Alcohol and Drug Addiction
When people think of addiction, their minds often go to drug or alcohol abuse. For many people, their addiction does revolve around some time of substance abuse. However, for millions of people around the world, addiction spans outside the realm of a dependency on drugs and alcohol. Realistically, behavioral addictions and co-occurring disorders can negatively impact a person’s life just as much as a drug and alcohol addiction.
What Is Behavioral Addiction?
Addiction is seen as a pattern of behavior that can lead to a compulsive behavior once the addiction sets in. For example, when a person begins to drink at night after work and suddenly one night a week turns into every night without fail, that behavior has become compulsive. There is a chance that this person will quickly develop an addiction to alcohol. In turn, if a person can’t go a single day without going to the mall or a specific store to shop, there is a possibility that they are combatting addiction to shopping.
It’s important to note that sometimes a behavioral addiction and a substance abuse addiction can go hand-in-hand. For example, a person may have an addiction to the internet and have an addiction to drugs or alcohol. If you fall into this category, we will treat you for co-occurring disorders when you come to Muse Treatment in Los Angeles. We will work with you on a personal basis to determine if one addiction resulted from the other and what may have happened in your life that may have triggered these addictions.
4 Common Behavioral Addictions
Now that you have a better understanding of behavioral addictions, here are a few examples of behavioral addictions that people struggle with every day:
1. Video game addiction
While many people use video games to relax after a long day, a simple game can develop into a full-blown video game addiction for many people. Traditionally, it’s more common for men to suffer from an addiction to video game addiction. Sadly, a recent study found that one out of every 10 boys and men between the ages of 8 and 18 are categorized as “out-of-control gamers.”
2. Food addiction
Binge eating, or food addiction, impacts the lives of roughly 3% of Americans. Often, this type of addiction develops as a way to manage emotions. Although the exact cause of food addiction can vary, it has been linked to depression.
3. Risky behavior addiction
It’s important to understand that there is a difference between a person that likes to take risks now and again and a person who routinely and consistently seeks out situations that may cause them harm. When a person has dangerous behavioral addiction, they get a rush when they are taking part in these potentially hazardous behaviors.
4. Plastic surgery addiction
Some people use plastic surgery as a way to help themselves feel better about a particular part of their body. However, when they begin to find fault with every aspect of their body and decide to go under the knife for repeated procedures, there may be a bigger problem, such as a plastic surgery addiction.
Treating the Whole Person in Alcohol and Drug Rehab at Muse
At Muse Addiction Treatment Center in Los Angeles, we pride ourselves on working personally with each one of our clients to uncover the root cause of your addiction. Whether you’re suffering from co-occurring disorders or other behavioral addictions, you can count on receiving the care and support you need from the moment you reach out to us. When you’re ready to commit to overcoming your substance abuse addiction, behavioral addiction, or both, please reach out to us at (800) 426-1818.
