Substance Abuse and Behavioral Addiction: A Recovery Guide

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What Is the Difference Between Substance Abuse and Behavioral Addictions?

To many individuals, the term addiction refers to substance use disorders (SUDS) and substance abuse in general. However, it is essential to recognize that behavioral addictions also exist and can be deeply troubling for those living with them.
 
Unfortunately, like substance abuse, behavioral addictions have become a massive concern for many, causing those struggling with them to experience negative life impacts without suitable treatment or symptom management.
 
Behavior addictions are not as widely addressed or explored as SUDs. This lack of awareness can lead many behavior addictions to go unnoticed and untreated. However, they are significant issues affecting many individuals, families, and their communities.
 
It is common for many to confuse substance use disorders with behavioral addictions and misunderstand their meaning and recovery options. This confusion leads many individuals to ask: what is the difference between substance abuse and behavioral addictions?
 
Substance abuse typically involves drugs or alcohol, whereas behavioral addiction can include a wide range of activities and behaviors, such as gambling, gaming, shopping, or even eating.
 
Understanding these terms and the challenges they present is crucial for anyone involved in addiction recovery and wanting more stability in their life should they be struggling. Fortunately, for many facing both or either condition, recovery is possible with the appropriate treatment and support.
 
In this guide by GateHouse Treatment, we will explore the definitions of substance use and behavioral addiction, their causes, and consequences. We will also discuss many available addiction treatment options for those who need them.
 
So, keep reading to learn more about this vital topic.
 
Visit us here to learn more about GateHouse Treatment. You can also read other blogs about substance use, addiction, and recovery here.
 

Defining Substance Abuse

Substance use involves the consumption of substances that affect a person’s mood or behavior.
 
According to the American Psychiatric Association, substance use disorders are complex conditions where a person cannot control their use of a substance, even though it causes harm to their life.
 
This condition often leads to intense distress and can impact a person’s ability to function in everyday life.
 
The following are some examples of substance use:
 
  • A strong desire and urge to consume the substance
  • Problematic tapering of use or abstaining from the substance
  • Spending a lot of time seeking, buying, using, or receiving substances
  • Intense cravings
  • Difficulty completing obligations, i.e., work, school, or at home
Substance use disorders often involve the use of drugs, which can be either legal or illegal. Substances may include many of the following:
 
  • Alcohol
  • Nicotine
  • Prescription drugs (e.g., painkillers, benzodiazepines)
  • Illicit drugs (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine)
Substance use can also include the misuse of over-the-counter medications or household products for their psychoactive effects.
 

Defining Behavioral Addiction

Behavioral addiction develops when someone feels a strong urge to keep doing a particular behavior, even if it causes problems. This type of addiction does not involve drugs or alcohol. Instead, it focuses on actions that can become addictive over time by stimulating the brain’s reward system.
 
Behavioral addictions, like substance addiction, may provide temporary pleasure or relief; however, they ultimately lead to harmful outcomes and can sometimes interfere with living obligations.
 
Over time, behavioral addictions can limit one’s ability to engage fully with the world around them.
 
Some common examples of behavioral addictions include:
 
  • Gambling
  • Gaming
  • Shopping
  • Sex/Pornography
  • Eating disorders (e.g., binge eating, compulsive overeating)
  • Internet/social media use
While routine internet use and shopping are generally healthy and expected life behaviors, they can become problematic when a person loses control over their impact on their life, potentially leading to an addictive disorder.
 
Common characteristics that can indicate an individual may have a behavioral addiction can include:
 
  • Interpersonal relationships, work, or daily struggles due to compulsive behavior
  • Increased amount of time or effort dedicated to the activity to achieve satisfaction
  • Physical or emotional discomfort when unable to engage in the behavior
  • Despite being aware of the negative consequences—such as health issues, financial troubles, or legal problems, individuals persist in their addictive behavior.

Is There a Correlation Between Substance Use and Behavioral Addiction?

While substance use and behavioral addiction may seem like distinct issues, there can often be a correlation between the two. Many individuals struggling with substance use may also engage in compulsive behaviors and vice versa.
 
Research indicates that individuals with a history of substance abuse are more likely to develop behavioral addictions. Furthermore, those who struggle with behavioral addictions are at an increased risk of developing substance use disorders. This data highlights the interconnectedness of these issues for many people.
 
It is important to note, though, that manifestations of substance abuse and behavioral addiction may differ in presentation. Still, they can share similar mechanisms and risk factors in some cases.
 
At their core, both addictive disorders involve a dysregulation of the brain’s reward circuitry, which primarily relies on neurotransmitters such as dopamine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for processing and reinforcing pleasurable experiences.
 
According to the National Library of Medicine, in those living with addiction, their system becomes hypersensitive to rewarding stimuli, driving compulsive behaviors to achieve gratification.
 
Over time, self-control mechanisms that guardrail these urges weaken, making it increasingly difficult to resist impulses to use or engage in dangerous habits.
 

Consequences and Potential Causes of Substance Use and Behavioral Addiction

Substance use and behavioral addiction have complex causes that include genetic, environmental, psychological, and social factors. Some individuals may be more susceptible to developing an addiction due to a combination of these factors.
 
The consequences of substance abuse and behavioral addiction can be severe and far-reaching. They can impact an individual’s physical health, mental well-being, relationships with others, finances, legal status, and overall quality of life.
 
Substance use disorders and behavioral addictions can also co-occur alongside other mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. This comorbidity can make recovery from the addictions even more challenging.
 

Recovery Treatment Options for Substance Use and Behavioral Addiction

Fortunately, there are various treatment options available for individuals struggling with substance use and behavioral addictions. These may include therapy, support groups, medication-assisted treatment, and inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs.
 
Ultimately, the best approach to recovery will depend on the individual’s specific needs and circumstances.
 
More severe substance misuse and behavioral addictions may require rehabilitation treatment that requires a 30-day stay or more. During this time, individuals receive intensive therapy and support to address the potential roots of their addiction and develop healthy coping strategies that work best for them.
 

Addressing Substance Use and Behavioral Addictions May Be Complicated, but It’s Possible to Break Free from Harmful Patterns!

Substance abuse and behavioral addiction are complex conditions that require understanding and proper treatment. By learning more about these disorders, their causes and consequences, and treatment options, we can provide better support for those struggling with them and promote recovery.
 
Remember, seeking help in the face of addiction is a sign of strength and never weakness. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance misuse or behavioral addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
 
So, let’s continue working towards breaking the stigma surrounding addiction and providing hope whenever we can!
 
Sometimes, our darkest challenges can be the stepping stones toward a better life! There’s always an opportunity for a positive change.
 

Recovery and Healthier Lifestyles Begin for Many with GateHouse Treatment

At GateHouse Treatment, located in Nashua, NH, we provide compassionate and effective addiction recovery options for individuals struggling with various substance use disorders and behavioral addictions.
 
Our comprehensive, expert treatment approach to addiction recovery at GateHouse Treatment addresses not only the physical effects of recovery that need healing but also the mental and emotional aspects that can contribute to the development of addiction.
 
Our team of experts of addiction recovery specialists accomplishes this through various models of addiction treatment recovery that reach our clients confronting difficult circumstances at the best level of treatment for them.
 
Contact GateHouse Treatment today to learn more about our addiction programs. Call us at (855) 448-3588 or via this online link to begin discussing your recovery options.
 
Take the first step towards sobriety of all kinds of destructive habits and create a brighter, substance-free future with GateHouse Treatment now.
Brittany Marie
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