Non-Substance Addictions: Millions of lives have been affected by non-substance addiction. Addiction doesn’t just affect the person suffering from it, it also touches the lives of every person related to the person suffering. It’s high time that the world becomes more aware of the perils of non-substance addiction.
It’s time to know that it is real and it can be cured. If you want a down low on the most important things that you need to know about non-substance addiction, this post is perfect for you. Understanding non-substance addiction treatments, their causes, and what they truly are will enlighten your mind on the topic. A simple moment of learning can go a long way. If you want to have a better understanding of non-substance addiction, you need to take note of the following:
Table of Contents
1. What is the Nature of Non-Substance Addiction?
Non-substance addiction is a behavioral problem where a person suffers from compulsive behaviors. No substance use is involved. Examples of non-substance addiction are as follows: excessive shopping, excessive gaming, and excessive gambling.
2. What Causes Non-Ssubstance Addiction?
Non-substance addiction is primarily caused by the following: psychological trauma, environmental factors, and genetics. People with depression or anxiety are also prone to suffer from non-substance addiction.
3. How Can it Impact Daily Life?
People who suffer from non-substance addiction have disrupted daily lives. Most suffer from emotional, social, and even emotional problems. People who suffer from non-substance addiction.
4. How is it Similar to Substance Addiction?
Non-substance addiction is similar to substance addiction by way of the following:
– People who suffer from non-substance addiction also develop tolerance.
– They also experience withdrawal symptoms.
– Overwhelming craving and desire to do a behavior is also experienced.
5. What are The Options for Treatment?
Non-substance addiction is curable. For treatment, people typically undergo the following:
– Combination of different kinds of therapy (like group therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy)
– Medication for some cases
– Lifestyle changes that involve positive and healthy habits
6. What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
People who want to heal their non-substance addiction often undergo cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This is an effective form of therapy where individuals do the following with the help of a licensed therapist:
– Identification of unhealthy thoughts
– Identification of unhealthy behaviors
– Slow and effective integration of positive behavior and habits into one’s life
– Identification of triggers
7. How can Mindfulness-based Interventions Help?
Mindfulness-based interventions help immensely as they make individuals deeply aware of themselves. Through self-awareness, individuals become better at identifying and managing their thoughts and impulses. A deepened sense of self greatly helps in the effective prevention of addictive behaviors.
8. Are Support Groups Needed?
Absolutely. Just like with people who suffer from substance abuse, people who suffer from non-substance addiction also need support groups. Support groups give a sense of community and belonging that are greatly needed by people who are recovering from non-substance addiction. No recovery from addiction can ever take place without the support, encouragement, and presence of loving people. Support groups need not be family members or close friends.
9. Will you Need to Go to Family Therapy?
It is not necessary but it is beneficial. Going through family therapy can help the person recovering and his or her family members to:
– Improve their communication skills
– Uncover underlying family dynamics that may have contributed to the development of addictive behaviors
10. Will you Need Medications?
Medication is not usually utilized for the treatment of non-substance addiction. However, a person may need to take medications if apart from non-substance addiction, he or she, is also suffering from co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
11. How to Prevent Relapse?
Relapse is a normal occurrence for people who are recovering from addiction. Knowing that it is a possibility will greatly help in preventing it. To effectively prevent it, one will need a definite and concrete plan that involves the following:
– Knowing one’s triggers
– Knowing what to do for each trigger
– Learning coping mechanisms
– Applying coping mechanisms
12. Will you Need to Undergo Lifestyle Changes?
It is imperative for one who wants to recover from non-substance addiction to do the following:
– Adopt a healthy lifestyle that promotes overall wellness
– Have a consistent and regular exercise
– Prioritize having a daily nutritious diet
– Good sleep hygiene that involves sleeping and waking up during the same schedule
– Develop good and supportive relationships
13. What is Dual Diagnosis?
Most people who suffer from non-substance addiction also suffer from a co-occurring mental health issue. This is why it is important for one who wants to recover to prioritize an intensive assessment and evaluation. Through it, experts may then be able to treat not just the non-substance addiction but the co-occurring mental health disorder too. The co-occurring mental health disorder cannot be ignored.
14. Can Holistic Approaches Help?
Yes! Many individuals have reported experiencing significant changes and development upon the application of holistic approaches in their recovery. This can be done by meditation, art therapy, or yoga.
15. How Much Commitment is Needed?
Recovery is not something that one only has to undergo for months. It will entail a lifetime commitment. If you want to fully recover and get your life back, you must be intentional and committed in all your actions. This is something that will be necessary not just in months but through the rest of your life. You will have a life-long journey to recovery. Healing will be a lifelong process as you will need to commit yourself to doing healthy and good behaviors.