Process addictions or addictions related to behaviours can be difficult to understand. Teens who struggle with strong impulses to reenact certain behaviours may be confused about this type of impulse but are unable to control it. Some behaviours can even engage the brain in the same ways that drugs might. Because these types of addictions are less well-defined, process addiction treatment can be a confusing experience. However, Venture Academy can help take the guesswork out of understanding addiction for your teen.
At Venture Academy, our programs can guide your teen to a more healthy life balance. Our process addiction treatment program can help your teen get back on the right track. Learn more about process addiction treatment from our team today by calling 866.762.2211 or completing our online form.
What Is a Process Addiction?
Process addictions are addictive behaviors that engage the cycle of addiction. With these types of addictions, your teen may repeatedly engage in a specified behaviour and not an addictive substance or an illicit drug. Activities that engage the brain like drugs can include physical exercise activities, uncontrollable studying, or compulsive artistic creation. An individual may even find themselves addicted to people or relationships.
What Addictive Behaviors Qualify as Process Addiction?
While addictive behaviours can be highly individualised to the person who deals with the symptoms of addiction, there are some process addictions that are experienced by many. These process addictions may include:
- Physical exercise – Extreme physical exercise is a very common behavioural addiction. This can be taxing on the body and the mind as many individuals may exercise until they gain nutrient deficiencies, severe exhaustion, and body dysmorphia. Sometimes this can overlap with eating disorders as well.
- Eating disorders – There are many different types of eating disorders, but each is characterized by an unhealthy relationship between food and the body. Some eating disorders can lead to extreme physical duress and even death in extreme cases.
- Emotional attachment – Emotional attachment disorders can include the formation of codependent relationships. In this case, the chemical response to another person may release endorphins the same way that physical drug use might.
- Compulsions – The need for success drives compulsions based on competition. This can mean an individual will strive for success by any means necessary. This can mean students may lose sleep or meals in a quest to do well in their classwork. Some creative individuals face this as they attempt to find accolades to forward a career in an industry typified by exclusion. This can cause extreme sleep disturbances, eating disorders, and general detachment from healthy relationships. These types of compulsions can often be accompanied by imposter syndrome. When an individual feels like a fraud or doubts their abilities, this is imposter syndrome. Gambling, video game addiction, and shopping compulsions are also quite common.
These are just common examples of a comprehensive series of addiction types. However, if you recognise any of these signs in your teen’s behaviours, it may be time to consider giving them the guidance they need to exit the cycle of addiction. At Venture Academy, our team can help your teen if they are struggling with a process addiction.
Help Your Teen Heal from a Process Addiction Today at Venture Academy
It may be challenging to determine if your teen is struggling with a process addiction. However, if you’ve observed behaviours that may indicate a process addiction, you can be sure that they may need guidance or healthful redirection. The consequences for many process addictions can be severe, leading to worsening mental illness, physical illness, or even financial or legal issues.
Contact our Venture Academy team today by completing our online form or calling 866.762.2211 to learn more about our 30-day assessment and intervention program and behaviour treatment. Empower your teen to take the necessary steps to heal.
