More Than a Habit: A Look at Addictive Behaviors and Regaining Hope
Written by Christina Jackson, MA
Content Warning: Content discussed in this article may be disturbing for some readers. Please take care of yourself as needed.
What Is Addiction?
Typically, when someone says, “addiction”, you may instantly think of drugs and alcohol. However, addiction includes both substances (e.g., illegal drugs) and behaviors (e.g., gambling), which are sometimes referred to as process addictions. In fact, once further research is conducted, the next revision of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) may include more classifications for behavioral addictions because people are struggling in this ever-changing world. Furthermore, the language in mental health has shifted to person-centered language (e.g., a person struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD) versus an alcoholic).
In general, according to the DSM-5, a disorder criterion is met when a person
1. uses a substance or process despite the negative impact it has on their life,
2. they experience withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop, and
3. the amount of the substance used or times the behavior is engaged increases overtime because the person’s tolerance level adapts.
For example, a person may start by enjoying a night cap (an alcoholic beverage in the evening to unwind). Then work becomes more stressful, and the drinking begins earlier in the day. Other life stressors may occur, and the person relies on their numbing agent more often, in stronger doses, and throughout the weekend. Before they know it, they are sneaking drinks on lunch breaks and getting DUIs (driving under the influence). Their relationships also begin to suffer, their health may suffer, their career suffers, and the sneaking and lying increases. This of course increases their feelings of shame and distress, which lead to more drinking to cover the pain. When they try to stop, the psychological and emotional pain is there in full force. Plus, they will have physical withdrawal symptoms. On one side they may have physical cravings for more of the substance. On the other side of the coin, there is typically physical pain that they may seek to alleviate. Thus, the vicious cycle gets way out of control.
Addictions Are More Than a Habit
This scenario is about alcohol, but substance misuse and behavioral addictions have similarities.
1. They are typically used as a coping skill (albeit an ineffective coping skill),
2. Shame is typically involved and will need to be addressed in the recovery plan,
3. Hiding, sneaking, and lying are commonly used to cover up either the full use, or a portion of it (e.g., quantity or frequency),
4. Manipulation is also commonly used to cover up and to obtain more of the chosen substance or behavior,
5. Increased dopamine activity (i.e., the reward center of the brain gets over stimulated when using the substance or engaging in the activity),
6. The person’s tolerance level increases with use, which leads to the need for more either in quantity or intensity,
7. A lack of control and an inability to stop occurs.
Thus, addiction is more than a habit because what may have started as a choice, turns into a deeply embedded loop to continue use of the substance/behavior to survive, even though continued use is wreaking havoc in their life. Quitting may seem like the ‘logical’ answer, but a logical approach often heaps more shame and intensifies the ‘need’ to escape.
For example, online gambling is increasing due to the accessibility and smooth marketing techniques that make it appear benign. A person may start by simply downloading a sports app. At first, it is fun and exciting, but soon they are constantly checking and spending money in hopes for the next high of a ‘win’. At some point they begin using money that was designated for bills, which requires hiding how often they are engaging with the app(s) and how much they are losing. They rationalize that what they win makes it worth the next round. However, they are gradually spending more than they are winning. When the bills are due and the money is short, shame creeps in, along with desperation. With clouded thinking, they reason that if they win the next big jackpot, everything will get better, but that jackpot never comes. Meanwhile their marriage suffers due to broken trust, they lose their car and home for lack of payment, and their friends have grown estranged due to manipulation to get more money from them. Of course, ‘just stopping’ would be the ‘logical’ thing to do. However, the cycle of gambling addiction has infiltrated the person’s psychological and physical being at a much deeper level than will power alone can typically control.
Thankfully, research has found commonalities in symptoms and likewise there are common interventions that can help break the cycle of addiction and restore hope for a thriving future.
What Is Helpful for the Person Struggling with the Disorder?
If you are caught in the cycle of addiction and are experiencing a loss of control, there is hope. Depending on the nature and the intensity of your addiction, there are rehab and counseling centers that can assist you. Sometimes, an in-patient clinic is helpful. Often times, a person can work with a therapist to set up some guardrails in their life that will help them reduce or eliminate the use of the substance/behavior. A therapist can also help with exploring root causes that may have led to self-medicating or numbing practices. They can also help a person develop new coping skills and guide them through rebuilding their relationships. Some common features that get rebuilt in recovery are honesty, accountability, acceptance, felt safety, and dealing with underlying issues that are driving the addictive behavior. Support groups work well in conjunction with therapy. People find strength in community and strive toward common goals of recovery. Likewise, many people seek assistance from their medical doctor by means of medication.
What Is Helpful for Family Members?
Family members will have their own journey as they seek to examine how they interact with their loved one and what changes might be helpful. It is common for family members to get caught up in the ‘dance of addiction’. As the saying goes, “It takes two to tango”. There are support groups available that help family members learn more about this ‘dance’ and the nature of addiction. Likewise, they may also find it helpful to participate in individual therapy sessions that help them heal from the pain inflicted while their loved one was under the influence of their substance/behavior.
Other Addictive Behaviors
Furthermore, there are multiple behaviors that have an addictive nature, but are not yet covered in the DSM-5. These addictive behaviors possess the common traits like high dopamine hits to the reward center in the brain, increased tolerance levels requiring the person to engage in more of the behavior, and a loss of control. Some examples include shopping, eating, gaming, sex, pornography, exercising, and internet/social media use.
Pornography use is a rapidly growing issue due to instant online access. Many people are suffering from problematic pornography use because it is introduced at earlier ages and it presents a faux experience that can interfere with authentic intimacy in real life relationships. Porn also overloads the dopamine system, which increases its addictive nature. Like so many other addictive substances and behaviors, it is typically masking more vulnerable issues that developed at an earlier age. Therefore, the person is struggling against a combination of emotional, psychological, and physical urges. Additionally, the behavior may go against their belief system, which can make it even harder to reveal their secret and seek help. If the person is married or in a committed relationship, and the practice has been concealed, there is a level of broken trust that will need to be addressed. Similarly, there could be relational issues if the practice is not concealed, but the person is making requests or demands of their partner that they are not comfortable with fulfilling. In each situation, recovery is possible. Holistic care has helped numerous people. You don’t have to suffer in isolation.
Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis simply means that multiple things are interacting at the same time. It is common for mental health issues like anxiety, depression, bi-polar, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) to frequently occur simultaneously with a substance/behavior use disorder. For example, someone experiences a series of traumatic incidents but are having a hard time moving past the memories and flashbacks. They may initially turn to alcohol to help them forget and calm their nerves. Before they know it, they are consuming more alcohol to self-medicate the PTSD symptoms. In this case, the person may experience a dual diagnosis of SUD and PTSD. Both conditions will need to be addressed for effective recovery.
Helpful Resources to Regain Hope
Below are some ideas to help you get started on your healing journey. (I am not endorsing a particular brand, nor are there sponsorship or affiliate links.)
1. There are apps (based on the type of addiction) that assist with internet use and accountability
2. Support groups are available online and in-person for various topics
3. Individual therapy is available online and in-person (providers accept various forms of payment such as self-pay and insurance)
4. Group therapy is available and can be used to help reduce costs (many groups meet based on topics)
5. Speak to your medical doctor
Remember, addiction doesn’t go away by ignoring it, and it gains strength in concealment. You don’t have to suffer in silence. The road may be hard, but a brighter future is possible. You are not alone. Take your first step today!
Christina Jackson helps children, teens, and adults heal from trauma, navigate grief, and manage anxiety. She has therapy appointments available in Murfreesboro and through telehealth.