Did you know that there are multiple types of addiction? While many struggles with substance use disorders, others may not — and, therefore, need to get admitted into process addiction treatment programs when they decide to get professional help.
Addiction of all types is now generally understood as a mental health issue, so most treatment programs have the same forms of care in their schedules. However, these schedules also need to specifically address a type of addiction to be comprehensive and truly helpful for the program participants. Contact us today if you’re looking for a process addiction treatment program in Baltimore. Call Baltimore Detox Center at [Direct] or reach out to our team online.
What Are the Different Types of Addiction?
Studies show that addictions to substances work similarly as patterns of compulsive behavior, although there are enough differences to separate them into two types of addiction:
- Chemical addiction: This refers to addiction that involves the use of substances. Chemical addiction can be confusing to understand because substance misuse, dependency, and addiction may not be properly defined and separated by people who aren’t medical professionals or addiction treatment specialists.
- Behavioral or process addiction: This refers to addiction that involves the development of compulsive behaviors — which are persistent, repeated actions that don’t offer any real benefit. The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) recognizes two subtypes of behavioral addictions: gambling addiction and internet gaming disorder. However, with enough research and observations, more subtypes may be added in the future.
What Is a Process Addiction?
As mentioned above, behavioral addiction is also known as a process addiction. This type of addiction is characterized by an overwhelming impulse to engage in a certain behavior, although doing so can lead to negative consequences. While repeating said behavior, a person often experiences an elevated mood followed by a sense of guilt or shame.
People with a history of childhood abuse, neglect, or trauma are more likely to develop process additions. Growing up around addicted family members or spending most of their time with behavioral addictions may also increase the risk. You may be struggling with a process addiction if you:
- Compulsively seek the “high” the behavior provides
- Continue the behavior despite its negative effect on mental and physical health, relationships, and other responsibilities
- Experience withdrawal when you stop doing the behavior
- Spend an abnormal amount of time thinking about or doing the behavior
- Use the behavior as an escape from negative emotions
Although the DSM-5 only recognizes process addictions involving gambling and internet gaming, other types commonly recognized by addiction treatment specialists include those involving:
- Eating disorders
- Exercise
- Internet use
- Shopping
- Sexual activity
- Pornography
- Work
Process addictions affect emotional, mental, and physical health. People struggling with addictive behaviors find trouble managing interpersonal relationships, as well as financial and legal issues.
What Can Clients Expect From a Process Addiction Treatment Program?
A process addiction is a condition in which someone is dependent on some form of behavior. Treatment programs created to help participants deal with this type of addiction often work by having clients unravel their lives to discover how their process addictions developed. Most of the time, addictions like this arise from needing control, escape, or meaning from a traumatic event. This approach and how it can make clients feel is often difficult to get through.
Managing process addiction doesn’t get the motivating boost from the detox process — an essential first step for chemical addictions. Process addiction treatment programs don’t begin with participants stabilized but still fresh from feeling tired from detoxing. Still, they also don’t begin with the focus of addiction out of the way. Relapsing is much more likely, making the safety and security of centers that offer process addiction treatment more important.
Ready To Learn More About Baltimore Detox Center’s Process Addiction Treatment Program?
Looking for a process addiction treatment program in Baltimore? Contact Baltimore Detox Center by calling [Direct] or reaching out to our team online.
