Monthly Archives: July 2014

Understanding Process Addictions

Addiction isn’t limited to drugs and alcohol. These are substance addiction. However, we can become addicted to almost anything.

Many people know that gambling can be an addiction, but it isn’t to a substance. It’s a process addiction, as are addictions to food, sex, internet, gaming, work, relationships, you name it. These addictions are just as real, and affect all parts of person’s life, including their brain chemistry, just as a drug can.

Any process of thinking about something or choosing behaviors can also become addictive. It depends on how and why we’re thinking and/or behaving the way we are. Is it to avoid feeling too much pain? To avoid dealing with everyday life? Because we’re unhappy with the choices we’ve made?

Are your behaviors negatively affecting your life? Do you keep repeating them, even if you don’t want to?

Process addiction treatment needs to guided by experts who understand the underlying issues. There are important questions to be answered:

  • Why are you behaving this way?
  • How and when did the pattern begin?
  • What can be done now to get your life back on track?
  • Where else might this pattern be causing you harm?

Dr. Melanie Harth

Call and talk with an Intake Counselor, no charge:
877-499-1354 or 505-369-2777– We will be glad to help you understand process addictions and if they might be affecting you or a loved one.