Behavior Addictions in San Antonio (877) 804-1531
Behavior addictions in San Antonio are also known as process addictions. Gambling, overeating, overspending, and sexual addiction are considered behavior addictions because they represent a dependency on a process or activity as opposed to dependency on a substance. Behavior addictions are the result of many influencing factors and require psychological treatment in order for a full recovery to take place. Call today at (877) 804-1531 to find out more about Alcohol Treatment Centers in San Antonio.
Common Behavior Addictions in San Antonio
People who suffer from behavior addictions are addicted to the process or ritual involved with the activity they engage in compulsively. Below are several common behavior addictions.
Shopping Addiction
Shopping addiction is the compulsion to spend money regardless of financial means or whether the items purchased are needed. Signs of shopping addiction include shopping to cope with anxiety, making frequent unnecessary purchases, stealing, and continuing to shop despite feelings of guilt or remorse. Experts believe shopping addicts experience the same "high" from spending money that drug addicts get from using. Many compulsive shoppers try to project an image of wealth and success despite being deeply in debt.
Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction is also called ludomania. Compulsive gamblers have an urge to continue gambling despite negative consequences and regardless of financial means. Signs of gambling addiction are an excessive preoccupation with gambling, spending increasing amounts of time and money gambling, and chasing losses.
Video Game Addiction
Someone with a video game addiction has an uncontrollable urge to play video games. Video game addicts may become so lost in the fantasy worlds of the games they're playing that they neglect their responsibilities and relationships. If someone would rather play video games than eat, sleep, or socialize with friends, they have a video game addiction.
Eating Addiction
Many people don't realize eating addiction is a real illness, just like addiction to alcohol or drugs. If someone has an eating addiction, they have a compulsive need to eat, whether or not they are hungry. Symptoms of eating addiction include constant snacking, overeating at mealtimes, eating even when full, and engaging in binging and purging behaviors. People with food addictions can experience feelings of guilt or shame after binging or eating certain types of foods.
Sex Addiction
Sex addiction is a behavioral addiction that causes the sufferer to become intensely focused on sexual thoughts or behavior. Sex addictions are classified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM) as either paraphilic or nonparaphilic. Paraphilic sexual addictions involve an intense preoccupation with exhibitionism, voyeurism, sadism, masochism, fetishism, transvetic fetishism, and frotteurism. Sufferers of nonparaphilic sexual addiction tend to engage in easily accessible sexual activities such as visiting strip clubs, consuming excessive amounts of pornography, or engaging in repeated extramarital affairs.
Smoking Addiction
People who suffer from smoking addiction are actually addicted to nicotine, the chemical in tobacco that creates dependence. Nicotine is a highly-addictive chemical that releases neurotransmitters in the brain to regulate mood and behavior. One of these brain chemicals is dopamine, which can temporarily elevate a smoker's mood and create feelings of pleasure. Smoking addiction involves both physical and psychological factors. More than 400,000 Americans die from smoking-related illnesses every year.
Work Addiction
Signs and symptoms of work addiction include anxiety about work performance, intense fear of failure, obsession with career advancement, and working to cope with feelings of sadness, depression, or guilt. Work addicts are unable to change their behavior despite negative consequences to their physical or psychological well-being.
Treatments For Behavior Addictions
Treatment for behavior addictions in San Antonio is usually a long-term process. Individuals recovering from behavioral addictions must learn new coping mechanisms and develop strategies for avoiding the triggers that lead to undesirable behavior. Common behavioral addiction treatments include psychotherapy, group therapy, and spiritual therapy such as yoga and meditation. Behavioral addictions are often the result of an undiagnosed medical issue. In such cases, prescription medication combined with psychotherapy can be effective in curbing unwanted behavior.
Behavior addictions are an often overlooked condition. If your compulsive behavior has negatively affected your health, career, or relationships, contact your mental health professional to find out how you can benefit from a customized behavioral addiction treatment plan.