Process Addiction is a Growing Problem
Process Addiction is a Growing Problem
When you think of addiction, you probably think of drugs and alcohol. If so, you are like most Americans who associate the term addiction with substance abuse. But a growing number of people have found themselves dealing with a new kind of addiction, and it actually affects millions of people. “Process addiction” refers to a compulsion to take part in certain activities, such as computer gaming and the internet, eating, sex, gambling, shopping, and even dependent relationships. We as humans can become addicted to just about anything, and we are seeing more and more new addictions in our country in recent years.
Invisible addiction
The problem with these kinds of addictions is that many people don’t yet recognize these things as harmful. In the case of computer addiction, the family members see their loved one just as much as they otherwise would, and they know they are home safe and not out doing drugs or drinking, but the problem is that the person can’t pull themselves away to interact with their family. Another problem with these things is that they gradually become more addicting. A person can go and gamble for a while and be fine, or play a computer game occasionally and then, for a reason unclear to scientists, the person becomes addicted. What was once a fun past time becomes a trap that holds them. These addictions are dubbed invisible addictions because it isn’t apparent from looking at a person that they are sick.
It may be that these addicts thrive on the highs and lows they experience while doing these activities. Gambling, for example, gives people a series of lows when loosing, and these actually make the winning times into a better “high”. It may also be that the brain releases its own chemicals that give the person a high when doing things such as shopping or gaming. Just like the cocaine addict, these people live for their “high” and not much else matters to them.
Signs and Treatment
There are warning signs that someone you love is becoming addicted and it is important to watch for them: spending less time with family and friends, falling grades or job performance, depression, loneliness, and lack of ambition to participate in things other than the addiction.
Just like substance addiction, process addictions can be treated, but catching the addiction early offers the best chance at success. The stronger the compulsion and the more a person’s lifestyle has been affected by the addiction, the harder it will be to get that life back.
Process addictions have been on the rise in recent years and there are now treatment centers that specialize in this type of mental illness. It is important to first of all admit that there is a problem beyond the addict’s control, and then seek professional help.
Sources
Vedder, Tracy Computer addiction a growing problem Apr 1, 2009
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/42296677.html
Clark, Bobbie Gaming’s lure addictive to some April 11, 2009 http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090411/NEWS01/904110341
10 Tips for Breaking an Internet Shopping Addiction March 25, 2009 http://www.promotionalcodes.org.uk/3235/10-tips-for-breaking-an-internet-
shopping-addiction/
Derworiz, Colette Gambling’s toll on social costs grow as economy softens March 23, 2009http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/fp/Gambling+toll+social+
costs+grow+economy+softens/1417947/story.html
Tags: addict, addicts, alcohol rehab, alcohol treatment, alcoholic, alcoholics, alcoholism, drug and alcohol treatment
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April 30, 2009 4:29 pm
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By jennifer, April 30, 2009 @ 5:03 pm
process addiction? Its funny how we as human beings can be addicted to just anything. Most people only reconize drugs and alcohol as an addiction. It can be the most noticeable addiction. Sex, gambling,eating are all addictions too. Any thing that gives us pleasure we can become addicted to. We just have to be careful with how much we do these types of things.
By JAMES, May 1, 2009 @ 10:18 am
who would have ever thought that something like a video game or a computer would turn in to a problem addiction. Now days Most drug and alcohol treatment centers offer help for those who have process addiction. Drugs and alcohol still remain at the top of addictions. but its good to know that there is help for those who struggle with different things.
By Jared, May 5, 2009 @ 9:31 am
Drugs and alcohol have definitely dominated the field of what people can become dependent on. I think it is a good thing that the process addictions are recognized as real addictions.
They are used as an escape
They cause problems with family or jobs
the person feels uncomfortable without them
These are all “symptoms” of substance addiction, I think it is important to note that seemingly normal things can be abused, to the point of help being needed to overcome them.
It is also important to note that many people who have substance abuse issues, or are in recovery can easily fall victim to process addictions. Just as an addict may replace one drug with another, a substance addict may replace a process addiction with his/her drug addiction.
By jolinda, May 7, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
I think my friend has an addiction to video games and computer games. He doesnt think he has a problem or anything. I know he’s not addicted to drugs or alcohol but he wont come out of his house. He doesnt socialize with any real human beings. Everything is revolved around computers. Addiction and alcoholism isnt the only kind of addiction that is unhealthy.
By david, May 8, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
process addiction is growing rapidly and it going to get worse as time goes on. Process addiction usually is underlooked. because drugs and aclohol are not involved. but process addiction can be just as dangerous. Most drug rehabs will take people who are dealing with process addiction. Does someone you know have this addiction?
By jobe, May 11, 2009 @ 11:57 am
process addiction is definitely a problem addiction. Most people would consider it harmless. But anything that can make your life unmanageable is a problem. Most drug and alcohol treatment centers will take in people who suffer from process addiction. Drugs and alcohol arent the only addictions to look out for. Do you know of somebody with this uncommonly known addiction?
By samuel, May 11, 2009 @ 5:06 pm
I entered my first drug treatment center at the age of 18. I come from a family of addicts and alcoholics. I have been surrounded addiction and alcoholism my whole life. Drugs and alcohol was nothing new to me growing up. I was 11 the first time i got high. I am 30 yrs old now and i just got off of drugs and alcohol 1 year ago.
By lionel, May 12, 2009 @ 11:05 am
Iam addicted to pretty much everything. If anything feels good smells good taste good and looks good im addicted to it. i have been to my share of drug and alcohol treatment programs. Addiction and alcoholism has been a part of my life since i was born. my family is all addicts and alcoholics. Process addiction goes pretty much unnoticed but it is a harmful addiction. most drug rehabs have help for the addict with this addiction.
By jay, May 13, 2009 @ 9:55 am
millions of americans are suffering from process addiction. Drugs and alcohol arent the only addiction to worrie about these days. Process addiction affects people in many different ways. It can be a a problem for the addict if they do not seek help. There is treatment and therapy out there. Check out a drug and alcohol treatment center for more infor mation.
By peter, May 20, 2009 @ 11:23 am
I just recently heard about this process addiction. Every day there is a new kind of addiction out there. No matter what your addicted to there is help and a solution. I just graduated from a drug and alcohol treatment center and what i learned about my addiction was that the problem wasnt the drugs or what ever i was addicted to. The problem was me and how i delt with with what ever i was going through.
By dennis, May 22, 2009 @ 9:18 am
I must admit I had a process addiction. I finally came to grips with it. Addiction is my personality It is very easy for me to become addicted to the most simple things in life. Drugs and alcohol arent the thing we can become addicted to. Sex, computers, gambling, money and even work.
By gilbert, May 22, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
I finally come to realize that process addiction is real. When anything become a habit in your life and it starts to make your life unmanageable then there is a problem. Most people dont really look at other things as addictions, only drugs and alcohol. But believe me process addiction is real and i almost became a victim. But with the tools I have learned from my last drug and alcohol treatment center. i was able to see the pattern that was going on and new what actions to take and what to do. Drugs and alcohol really arent the only addictions out there that can ruin your life. be careful.
By smith, May 23, 2009 @ 10:27 am
I keep hearing about this process addiction. What exactly is it? is it dangerous. I have been addicted to drugs and alcohol and gambling. I guess if you have an addiction you have an addiction. I have been abusing drugs and alcohol my whole life. And i just recently heard of this process addiction. So what exactly is it?
By susan, May 23, 2009 @ 2:03 pm
process addiction is real and active. I know a ton of people dealing with this issue. process addiction is just as dangerous as a drug or alcohol addiction or even gambling or a sex addiction. It is a wondeful thing that is treatment for process addiction. Help can be provided to you from a drug and alcohol treatment facility.
By gina, May 23, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
out patient drug treatment can be just as effective as inpatient drug and alcohol treatment. In my personal opinion I prefer out patient drug treatment. I have experienced both. Getting clean in a rel life situation worked better for me. treating an addiction is not easy. Alcoholism and addiction is not an easy disease to deal with. It’s like cancer. If not treated it can be deadly.
By amy, May 25, 2009 @ 10:50 am
I have not met one person who has admitted that they had a process addiction. Most people dont even know that the are suffering from process addiction. But it is a problem and it is affecting more and more people every day. drugs and alcohol arent the only addictions to worrie about these days.
By Lenny, June 1, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
I never heard of process addiction until recently. Its amazing how we can make anything an addiction. But anything that can harm us or make our lives unmanageable can be an addiction. Process addiction can be harmful and there is help. Finding an addiction facility can be helpful in getting some treatment. Do you suffer from process addiction?
By dennis, June 2, 2009 @ 11:31 am
process addiction is a harmful addiction. I have a friend who has process addiction. He also is a drug addict. He is going to drug treatment to help with all of his addictions.
By Kathy, June 5, 2009 @ 11:04 am
I suffer from what they call process addiction. I didn’t even realize I had this problem. That’s what makes addiction so cunning. I also have an addiction to cocaine, heroin,alcohol and sex. I am loaded with problems. I’m going to enter an addiction program to get help
By jessica, June 8, 2009 @ 11:59 am
Dealing with loss can be a real difficult time in a person life. Especially when it is caused the use of drugs and alcohol . How do you deal with the loss of a loved one if you have no coping mechanisims to begin with? Does drug tratment or drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers help you with that type of stuff?
By phillipe, June 19, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
process addiction can be just as harmful as a drug or alcohol addiction. Most drug treatment programs can treat for process addiction as well as sex addictions and gambling addictions.
By pete, June 22, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
Process addiction is an addiction regardless. It might not be a drug addiction but it can be just as destructive. trust me I know first hand. Try to deal annd adress your addictions the same way.
By kelly, June 29, 2009 @ 11:40 am
Most people dont want to admit they have a process addiction. A lot of people dont know that they even have process addiction. If you need help most drug treatment centers can offer the help you need.
By George, July 31, 2009 @ 1:20 pm
Process addiction can be just as harmful as using drugs and alcohol. Anything that causes a problem in your life can be a problem. Any addiction is harmful. But any addiction can be treated. There is help.