Process addictions are nothing new, but the average person usually has a harder time understanding how something like gambling, eating, shopping or sex can be addictive in the same way drugs or alcohol can. Still, process addictions are very real, and they can be as debilitating as substance addiction. And as we continue to make technological advances, a whole new crop of “things” to be addicted to is emerging. This includes video games, smart phones and, most recently, social networking. But is it really possible to be addicted to Facebook or Twitter?
A new US study looked at just how much we rely on social networking sites and the findings are astounding. It turns out that 83 percent of people questioned would rather give up fast food than not be allowed online. And they’d go to some wild extremes to get their fix, offering to forgo sex, chocolate, even regular showers, the study suggests.
More than one in five men and women would rather not have sex so long as they were able to stay connected, the researchers found. At the same time, 10 percent would happily give up their car while seven percent would rather not shower than have no Internet for a year.
Unlike substance abuse, which has a chemical component that interacts with the brain, process addictions can be harder to understand. We don't understand why an individual can’t just stop negative behavior when they see that it is excessive or harmful. But the truth is, people with process addictions face the same problems that people with substance addictions do -- and they require psychological treatment to recover.
Process Addiction Treatment at La Paloma
If you or someone you love needs treatment with an addiction or co-occurring mental health disorder, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about process addictions treatment, financing or insurance.
