Though many people do not realize it, addiction is more than just being dependent on a substance. In some situations, a person may struggle with addiction related to behaviors. This is called process addiction, a mental health disorder that can be devastating in many ways to a person’s quality of life. Process addiction treatment is available, and it can be quite effective when used properly.
At Baltimore Detox Center, we offer a range of resources, including process addiction treatment, that are designed to help change negative behaviors even when substance abuse isn’t the heart of the problem. The first step is learning more about process addiction.
Understanding Process Addiction
Most people associate addiction with drinking alcohol or using drugs. Sometimes it is a strong impulse or uncontrollable behavior to engage in a specific behavior. A person who has a process addiction is likely to engage in this behavior even when they recognize that doing so is risky and comes with some negative consequences. The key to remember about a process addiction is that the reward or pleasure comes from the act itself, which drives the compulsive behaviors to continue to engage in it.
Examples of Process Addiction
Many factors can contribute to process addictions and this type of behavior. A person can remain fixated on it for the long term and, in some situations, will do whatever they can to avoid having to give up this activity.
Some examples of process addictions include addictions to:
- Shopping
- Internet use
- Exercise
- Gambling
- Work
- Video games
Various other process addiction examples exist as well. Because some of these tasks involve responsibilities a person has to continue to meet – such as eating or going to work – they require different types of treatment for a person to overcome them. That takes specialized treatment programs to enable long-term success.
Common Signs of Process Addiction
Often, a person doesn’t realize just how intense their addiction is until they cannot stop engaging in it, even when they want to do so.
Some signs of process addiction include:
- Difficulty stopping a certain behavior, often trying to do so but being unable to do so
- Engaging in the activity constantly even when they should be doing something else
- Ignoring other activities and responsibilities to engage in the activity
- Reduced ability to control the behavior, including how much or how long they engage
- When not engaging in the activity, a person may experience emotional withdrawal or cravings to engage in it
How to Get Help for Process Addiction
If you’re facing this type of addiction, there is help available to you at Baltimore Detox Center. It doesn’t stop without treatment, but with professional therapy, it is possible to gain control over these actions before they cause damage to relationships or make your life goals hard to reach. No matter where you are in the treatment process right now, our Baltimore Detox Center team can provide effective therapy for you, including through programs such as:
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy program
- Dialectical behavior therapy program
- Group therapy program
- Trauma therapy program
Take the Time to Get Help Today at Baltimore Detox Center
You can get help for process addiction now, which can positively impact your future. To find out, reach out to our team at Baltimore Detox Center today. Allow our team of professionals to provide an assessment and determine what type of care may be best suited for your full recovery. No matter what you’re battling, our team is ready to guide you to the life you want to live. Take the time today to get started. Call [Direct] or reach out to us now online for help.
