Addictive Behaviors

Process Disorders

Think of an activity that you find a great deal of pleasure in. It can be anything—exercise, sex, shopping, gambling, or video games. See if you can recall some particularly strong, pleasurable memory associated with that behavior. Perhaps it is sitting down on a Saturday before everyone was awake to play a new video game. Perhaps it is euphoria after an exhausting workout. Or maybe it is an intense craving to be close to a new romantic interest. Take a moment to bring this memory to mind fully…

…even as you recalled this phenomenal experience, a little bundle of neurons in the base of your brain released a powerful shot of dopamine to a number of distal regions, basically saying “that was so gooood, let’s do it again.” Just thinking about the behavior jump-started this reward pathway.

Leave it to psychologists to pathologize even the loftiest values of humanity (from love to work), but behavioral addictions, sometimes termed process disorders, are insidious. They involve behaviors that can otherwise be a healthy part of a fulfilling life and usually begin with the simple joy of novelty. The process of becoming dependent happens slowly, however, and before we realize it the activity seems necessary for our survival; we become desperate in seeking it out; and even lose family, friends, health, or our careers in pursuit of it. Even if we recognize that the behavior leaves us feeling worse-off it can be incredibly difficult to stop.

There are at least 15 behaviors (and likely more) that can lead to “addiction,” with the most common being work, gaming, sex, exercise, and gambling. There are also gradations of severity—from mild to severe—in how intrusive these activities become. If you are worried about a behavior that is interfering with you or a loved one’s social, occupational, or mental health, know that you are not alone. Approximately 10% of adults experience “workaholism,” ~10% experience internet gaming disorders, and another ~8% will experience problematic exercising (Smith, 2015).

In addressing a potential process disorder, you need someone who understands the complex etiology of these conditions, is compassionate to the realities of their treatment, and can support you in finding freedom from the diminished joy of repetitive cycles while respecting you or your loved one’s values and goals. We can help. Let’s tackle this together.