Affinity Health, a leading provider of high-quality healthcare, explores the six major characteristics of addictive behaviours and their impact on individuals and society.
What Is Addictive Behaviour?
Addictive behaviour is a serious and complex phenomenon characterised by a persistent pattern of substance use or engagement in activities that can lead to significant harm to oneself or others.
What Are Common Behavioural Addictions?
Addiction can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Generally, physical symptoms are required for someone to be diagnosed with an addiction disorder. However, behavioural addiction occurs without the physical issues faced by people who compulsively engage in drug and alcohol abuse.
“Unfortunately, those living with behavioural addictions, like all others who struggle with addiction, cannot cease engaging in the behaviour for any length of time without therapy and assistance,” says Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health.
Common behaviour addictions include:
- Sex and love addictions
- Shopping addiction
- Gambling addiction
- Compulsive Internet use
- Excessive video gaming
- Food addiction (binge eating)
- Exercise addiction
- Addiction to plastic surgery
- Addiction to thrill-seeking activities
Significant Characteristics of Addictive Behaviours
While there are various characteristics of addictive behaviours, Affinity Highlights six main traits.
- Compulsion
As mentioned, addictive behaviour is characterised by a strong desire or need to engage in the behaviour despite adverse consequences. Individuals may feel compelled to continue engaging in activities even when it harms their health, relationships, or job performance. This compulsive behaviour is one of the critical characteristics of addiction.
- Loss of Control
An individual with addictive behaviour, often feels like they cannot control themselves. This loss of control can lead to an inability to stop engaging in the behaviour despite the negative consequences.
- Denial, Deception, Dishonesty, And Deflection
Those with a behavioural addiction often go to considerable lengths to ensure family, friends, and co-workers are kept in the dark about their condition. Usually, this involves lying, keeping secrets, hiding phone conversations and text messages, avoiding direct responses or being defensive when questioned. Moreover, they lie about their whereabouts, activities, or who they’ve been with.
- Withdrawal
When individuals with addictive behaviour stop using substances, they experience withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, they’re prone to physical symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, tremors, or seizures. This can make it difficult for them to stop and contributes to the cycle of addiction.
- Negative Social Impact
Addictive behaviour can significantly negatively impact an individual’s social well-being. It can strain relationships, cause financial problems, and lead to legal trouble. Like any other form of addiction, behavioural addiction is a chronic disease that can have a lasting impact on an individual’s life and ripple effects on their family and loved ones.
- Losing Interest in Activities, Hobbies or Events That Were Once Important To You
Addictive behaviour can lead the individual to prioritise the behaviour over other aspects of their life that used to bring them joy.
What Treatment Options Are Available for Addictive Behaviour?
Treatment for addictive behaviour typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and support groups. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a common form of therapy that helps individuals understand the thoughts and feelings that drive their addiction and develop coping mechanisms to deal with cravings and triggers.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is often used to help with withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse. Support groups can provide a sense of community and accountability for individuals in recovery.
In some cases, inpatient or outpatient treatment programmes are recommended.
“It is important to note that behavioural addiction treatment should be tailored to the individual and may require ongoing support and monitoring to maintain long-term recovery,” concludes Hewlett.
targeted toward Parents.
We understand that there are many aspects that encompass a Mother, Father or Child and strive toward providing resources and services that accommodates
this.
Our content is aimed to inform and educate families on issues starting from
pregnancy through to the challenges of the teen-age years.
- The Importance of Play: How Playtime Boosts Your Child’s Development - November 22, 2024
- Introducing Relaxound Sound Boxes - November 21, 2024
- Supporting your child’s sleep needs during exam season - November 21, 2024
