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Process Addiction Treatment

Process addiction is the name given to the overwhelming impulse some people have to engage in a certain behavior despite the known negative consequences. Also referred to as behavioral addiction, it causes a person to experience a heightened mood while participating in the behavior. However, it is often followed quickly by a sharp sense of shame or guilt. If you or someone you love is engaging in addictive behaviors that, while not involving drugs or alcohol, are hurting them and their relationships, reach out to Greater Boston Addiction Centers by calling 617.749.0166 today to learn about addiction therapy programs that can help break the cycle of process addiction.

What Is Process Addiction?

Process addictions are far more common than you may realize. This is because so many of the behaviors are socially acceptable, advertised regularly through the media, and are things that almost every person does, if not on a day-to-day basis, then frequently. Some examples of our process addiction therapy programs include treatment for:
Process-Addiction-Treatment
  • Shopping
  • Gambling
  • Sex
  • Pornography
  • Eating disorders
  • Internet usage
  • Video gaming
  • Exercise
  • Work

When done in excess, these behaviors and activities can become addictive and ultimately cause serious harm to your physical, mental, and emotional health. Without process addiction treatment, these common practices may damage interpersonal relationships and may cause legal or financial problems for you as well.

What Are The Signs of Behavioral Addiction?

Much like a substance use disorder, process addictions share similar characteristics, especially when it comes to the ability, or lack thereof, to stop or limit the compulsive behavior, even when you are fully away that it is negatively impacting various aspects of your life. Some of the common signs of a behavioral addiction disorder are:

  • Spending an unusually excessive amount of time thinking about or actively practicing the addictive behavior
  • Using an unhealthy process to relieve unpleasant feelings
  • Cutting out other activities, responsibilities, as well as personal or professional relationships that once held value in your life
  • Using the process, or compulsion, as an escape from negative and painful feelings
  • Continuing to partake in the behavior in spite of knowing about the effect on your mental and physical health, relationships, work life, school, and other roles and responsibilities
  • Compulsively seeking the high, the behavior delivers
  • Increasing the behavior to achieve the high as your mind and body become tolerant of it
  • Experiencing a withdrawal when you are forced to stop the behavior

As with substance addiction, the addicted individual can often experience physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms once the process is removed. For example, an internet addict cannot access their phone or Wifi. When a person with a behavioral addiction is unable to partake in their addictive behavior, they could experience severe mental distress.

Process Addiction Treatment

Your process addiction treatment will likely involve cognitive-behavioral therapy. Currently, CBT is widely recognized as the best treatment for process addiction. However, a process addiction treatment plan designed for you and your needs may also include prescription medications, depending on symptoms or co-occurring disorders. Join us in the following rehab programs:

During the treatment, a psychotherapist at Greater Boston Addiction Centers trained in behavioral addiction recovery will guide you to better understand your compulsions, addictions, and any underlying co-occurring factors that could trigger the addictive behavior and manage your compulsions.

Needham Sober Living

If you are struggling with a process addiction, our Needham sober living center is an excellent segue into Boston’s sober living community. In the treatment, you will learn to transition negative thoughts into a more productive mindset which will improve mental health and lead you to a path of long-term recovery. In sober living, you will put what you learned into practice.

Learn More at Greater Boston Addiction Centers

Learn how addiction therapy programs at Greater Boston Addiction Center can be the starting point for overcoming your behavior addiction and, in turn, reshape the rest of your life. Contact us using our secure online form or call us confidentially at 617.749.0166 today.
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