Is Heidi Addicted to Plastic Surgery?

When does over-indulging cross the line into addiction? Heidi Montag’s recent plastic surgery binge has some fearing she could overdose on self-improvement.

Heidi Montag may have been looking for attention when she agreed to appear on the cover of a January 2010 issue of People magazine to talk about her recent plastic surgeries. In the eyebrow-raising article, the 23-year-old reality star and aspiring singer admitted to undergoing a whopping 10 cosmetic procedures in one day, prompting the headline “Addicted to Plastic Surgery.”

Once the magazine hit newsstands, though, Montag was backpedaling, insisting she doesn’t have a problem with overindulging in self-improvement. When negative fallout continued, Spencer Pratt’s better half took to the morning shows to defend her decision.

“I'm not addicted,” Montag insisted on Good Morning America. She went on to explain that she isn’t trying to become someone else. "I think I look like myself. I think I just look like a different, improved version of myself."

Despite what her co-stars, family, friends and pop culture watchers think of Montag’s new look, it’s raised an important question. Can someone be addicted to plastic surgery in the same way they would drugs or alcohol?

Process addictions (from gambling and sex to shopping and food) are gaining recognition as very real addictions, but plastic surgery has yet to be added to list of formally recognized behaviors. Whether it will be promoted to addiction status alongside substances like heroin or alcohol remains to be seen. Whatever its official status is, the need to repeatedly alter your appearance to fit an unrealistic standard probably hints at a larger underlying issue.

When determining if someone is addicted to something, asking these three questions can help:

1.      Do you find yourself engaging in this activity with increased frequency?

2.      Is the behavior accompanied by intense cravings?

3.      Do you have a desire to engage in the behavior despite negative consequences?

Addiction Help

If you answer yes to these three questions, it’s time for a professional evaluation. If you or a family member is struggling with addictive behavior, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.