Many addictions do not involve substances but instead involve compulsive behaviors that are self-defeating and self-destructive. While similar to substance use disorder (SUD), a process addiction varies in important ways. Process addictions can come in many different forms, including shopping, gambling, internet browsing, and even exercising. Fortunately, mindfulness meditation techniques can help. Combining these unique practices with traditional psychotherapy can enhance the healing process. A process addiction can be challenging to live with, but many people experience great benefits after moving forward with holistic therapy at Avalon Malibu.
What Is Process Addiction?
According to the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, a process addiction can also be referred to as a behavioral addiction or an impulse control disorder. A process addiction of any kind can produce temporary rewards that may influence persistent negative behavior.
Individuals with process addictions may continue to engage in addictive behaviors despite knowing the adverse risks involved in their behavior. Prolonged behavioral addictions can result in diminished control over one’s life. It is important to note that not all impulse control disorders are characterized by impulse alone but by an individual’s behavior.
Substance Use Disorder vs. Process Addiction
According to the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, behavioral addiction is similar to SUD. However, rather than being addicted to a substance, an individual becomes addicted to a certain behavior or feeling that is brought on by a specific action.
Studies have reported that a person with a process addiction commonly experiences similar consequences as individuals with SUD. However, the physical warning signs of SUD do not apply to behavioral addiction. For example, substance withdrawal symptoms may consist of profuse sweating, painful migraines, hallucinations, or life-threatening seizures. However, the presence of factors such as drug addiction, mania, depression, social anxiety, a lack of social support, or withdrawal can be precursors to a process addiction.
Different Forms of Process Addiction
Behavioral addictions can be active or passive. The addiction typically reinforces or induces features that often contribute to the potential of addictive tendencies. Individuals who face challenges with process addiction present specific symptoms such as excessive behaviors such as binging, cravings, and increased tolerance that lead to a loss of mental and physical control. It is common for someone with a process addiction to be in denial before they discover they have a serious problem.
Process addiction may seem less harmful than other addictions, but it still wreaks havoc on various aspects of an individual’s life. Those who are dependent on behaviors that activate their reward system can begin to lose touch with reality.
Those with a process addiction tend to choose certain behaviors over loved ones as well as important responsibilities. Failure to address certain priorities can result in poor academics, impaired work-related performance, financial strife, and more. Different types of process addiction can include but are not limited to the following behaviors:
- Compulsive shopping
- Pathological gambling
- Obsessive internet browsing
- Excessive skin picking
- Sexual addiction
- Excessive tanning
- Gaming addiction
- Compulsive eating disorders
- Sports and physical exercise addiction
- Excessive working
- Compulsive criminal behavior
What Is Mindfulness Meditation?
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), meditation goes back thousands of years. Mindfulness and meditation are ancient practices that began in Eastern traditions. Meditation can be defined as various practices that focus on an individual’s mind, body, and spirit. Certain techniques are practiced to calm an individual’s mind and help them gain an overall sense of well-being.
Specific types of meditation typically involve maintaining a mental focus on a particular sensation. For example, one may focus on breathing, visual imagery, certain sounds, or a specific mantra.
As holistic care options like meditation are natural treatment methods, they come with little to no side effects. Meditation is a holistic practice. In other words, it is a natural way of healing that provides a whole-person approach. Different types of holistic care that pair well with mindfulness meditative techniques include the following:
- Evidence-based psychotherapies
- Acupuncture and massage therapy
- Art, music, and writing therapy
- Physical fitness and nutritional support
- Psychodrama
- Yoga
The Value of Moving Forward With Avalon Malibu’s Holistic Therapy
Behavioral addiction can cause sleep irregularities, weight fluctuations, impaired social problems, and mental health complications. Although process addiction poses fewer risks to one’s physical health than other addictions, those who are experiencing difficulties with addiction should still seek professional help. Moving forward with professional support can significantly improve a person’s mental well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Avalon Malibu understands that substance abuse and mental illness are complex issues that impact many areas of an individual’s life. In the long term, these lingering issues can undermine the recovery process and trigger a relapse, making it harder to maintain positive changes. By providing a chance to heal from the negative effects of addiction, holistic care can help patients transform their lives in meaningful ways and reclaim a greater sense of purpose, hope, and balance.
At Avalon Malibu, our clients can be assured that every useful approach to their treatment is considered and that they will have access to a range of holistic therapies specifically designed to meet their unique needs. Our expert team of professionals provides a range of holistic treatment options to help clients heal in a way that works for them. This often involves traditional therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as holistic options like mindfulness meditation and art therapy. We believe that process addictions are treatable and that proper treatment leads to happier, healthier lives. Call Avalon Malibu at (844) 857-5992 to gain more information on the benefits of holistic therapy for process addiction.Â
