A process addiction is an addiction to a particular behavior that produces an emotional high for the individual. You can have a behavioral addiction that requires professional treatment to stop the obsessive behavior. While drugs and alcohol create a substance addiction, a process addiction involves a behavior or activity that is difficult to control, even when there are negative consequences. Gambling addiction is a type of process addiction, as is being addicted to shopping or video games. When you are suffering financially, emotionally, or physically from a process addiction, it’s important to get the support you need to stop the behavior. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we are ready to help. Contact our team today at 866.516.8356 to learn more.
Understanding a Process Addiction
A process addiction is a behavioral addiction that involves repetitive behaviors that can damage your health or wellness. Even if your behavior seems harmless, there are times when your addiction to shopping, food, or work can cause emotional and physical distress. When your behavior becomes obsessive, and you aren’t able to control yourself, you need help in order to get more balance in your life. Addictive behavior can include:
- Checking your social media continually, to where it interferes with work
- Watching internet porn for hours on end and hiding it from your partner
- Working long hours to avoid being at home
- Gambling to excess when you are not able to afford it
- Eating food for comfort, even when your weight is too high
While there are times when you might make an unhealthy decision, it is compulsive, ongoing behavior that defines a behavioral addiction. While one-night gambling may leave you broke for the week, excessive nights spent at the casino because you enjoy the high it produces is often an addiction. If you have behaviors in your life that you want to overcome, it’s time to find the support you need.
Overcoming a Process Addiction
When you are ready to overcome an addiction, working with an individual therapist is a good start. You will need to identify your addiction and develop a plan to get the treatment you need. If you are also dealing with an addiction to substances, you will want to go through a detox program for addiction treatment. It takes time to overcome any condition, and you can do so by:
- Committing to the process of your recovery
- Working with a therapist to uncover your behavioral triggers
- Changing your behavior one step at a time through cognitive behavioral therapy
- Recognizing that you have an addiction and need help for the problem
- Seeking support and developing a treatment plan with your therapist to overcome your addiction
You are not going to be able to overcome an addiction overnight. When the pull of your addiction is too strong, you have to uncover why the addiction exists in the first place. Recognizing your addiction is your first step. This action will give you a baseline of behavior that you are trying to change. With the help of a therapist, you will identify your goals, strengths, and weaknesses. As you go through addiction treatment, you will begin to change your behavior to be more productive, healthy, and safe.
Get Help For an Addiction Today
If you are dealing with an addiction to substances, it’s important to seek addiction treatment in a detox facility. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we understand that you may be dealing with a process addiction along with your substance abuse. Contact our team today at 866.516.8356 and get the help you deserve. You can be successful at breaking free from negative patterns, but it requires professional assistance to do so successfully.
