Types of Addictions & Treatment Options

Substance Abuse Addiction can be used to describe any pattern of compulsive behavior that triggers negative consequences for the user, in this case, abusing drugs and/or alcohol.

Main Types of Addiction: Chemical Addiction and Behavioral Addiction

Addictions recognized by experts can be broadly cleaved into two types:

• Chemical addiction: This is the umbrella term used for any addiction involving the use of substances, legal or illicit
• Behavioral addiction: Behavioral addictions are characterized by persistent and compulsive repeated behaviors offering no tangible benefit

Chemical Addiction: Basics

There is a great deal of confusion surrounding what constitutes substance misuse, substance abuse, dependency, and addiction.

In DSM-5, the fifth and current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the term substance use disorder is used in place of the above terms.

Substance use disorder is diagnosed using the criteria set down in DSM-5, with symptoms classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Employing the term substance use disorder not only clears up some of this confusion, but it also helps to destigmatize addiction by avoiding terms like abuse and addict.

While all drink and drug addictions are different, there are some common markers for substance use disorder. These include:

• Tolerance building so you need to use more of the substance to achieve the same effect
• Experiencing cravings so intense they are all-consuming
• Spending less time doing things you previously enjoyed
• Getting withdrawal symptoms when you discontinue use of the substance
• An inability to moderate usage or to stop using the substance
• Your substance use is causing problems at home, school, or work
• You find yourself engaging in risky behaviors due to substance use
• Sometimes, you use the substance in situations where it is dangerous – driving, for example
• If unable to access the substance, you feel uneasy or uncomfortable
• You are finding it difficult to manage your responsibilities, whether at home, work, or school

Some of the most common addictive substances are:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Opioid painkillers
• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Meth
• Amphetamines
• Nicotine

Behavioral Addiction: Basics

The concept of behavioral addictions polarizes opinion.

In industry-standard text, DSM-5, two behavioral addictions are recognized:

• Internet gaming disorder
• Gambling disorder

Most medical professionals tend to agree that some behavior patterns can become problematic over time, debate surrounds the following:

• Which specific behaviors are addictive
• The point at which behaviors become addiction

There are some other types of behaviors often considered addictions that we’ll explore below, but these are not included in DSM-5, as the APA believes there is insufficient peer-reviewed evidence necessary from which to extrapolate standard diagnostic criteria.

Chemical Addiction: Treatment

Aiming to stop or even moderate substance abuse can be challenging without trained medical support.

Most substance use treatment starts with medical detox. With addictions to alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids, FDA-approved medications can soothe the intensity of some withdrawal symptoms and minimize cravings. Medical detox makes the initial phase of recovery more comfortable, and mitigates much of the risk.

From this point, the choice typically involves:

• Residential rehab
• Outpatient treatment programs

For mild addictions, and for anyone unable to commit to a month or more in a treatment facility, outpatient programs can be effective. Here, you’ll attend a treatment center for several hours on weekdays, returning home in the evening and at weekends. Affordable and flexible, outpatient treatment for addiction is also covered by most health insurance policies.

If you have a more severe addiction, or if your home environment is unstable, inpatient treatment, also known as residential rehab, provides you with intensive treatment for 30 to 90 days. You remain at the treatment center throughout, making this form of treatment the most expensive, as well as the most intensive and structured.

Whether you opt for inpatient or outpatient treatment, you can expect a combination of MAT (medication-assisted treatment) and psychotherapy.Medication-assisted treatment

FDA-approved medication can be used to effectively treat alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder.

These medications can reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms while also reducing cravings for alcohol or opioids.

MAT is typically delivered in combination with psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy like CBT and DBT can be useful for treating substance use disorders. You’ll learn how to identify the people, places, and things that trigger substance use, and you’ll discover healthier coping strategies.

Addiction counseling is also a valuable component of most treatment programs. This is delivered in both individual and group settings.

Support groups

Many people recovering from addiction find 12-step support groups like AA and NA beneficial. The 12-step model embraces total abstinence and involves anonymous peer group support and self-help.

SMART recovery offers a more science-based approach to group support.

Behavioral Addiction: Treatment

Just like with chemical addiction, multiple factors contribute to behavioral addictions. As such, treatment approaches vary significantly, but the first line treatment is normally therapy.

Therapy

CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is most effective for treating behavioral addictions.

By focusing on the emotions and thoughts causing distress, and learning how to reframe them, you’ll acquire superior coping skills and you should find yourself less prone to addictive behaviors.

Other treatments

Self-help groups can be useful for some people struggling with behavioral addictions.

In some cases, you may be prescribed SSRI antidepressants to help manage addictive behaviors.

5 Other Types of Addiction

While the following addictions are not included in DSM-5 and experts do not agree they are all addictions, they are nevertheless conditions characterized by addictive behavior.

1. Sex addiction

2. Pornography addiction

3. Eating disorders

4. Shopping addiction

5. Internet addiction

1) Sex addiction

Sex addiction involves compulsive behavior centered on sexual activity.

While sex addiction is not formally classified as an addiction, it was considered by the APA (American Psychological Association) for inclusion in the updated fifth edition of its seminal Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

This mooted entry was to be included in DSM-5 categorized as “hypersexual behavior disorder”, but APA ultimately decided against its inclusion.

Even if there is no universal consensus on whether sex addiction is a legitimate addiction, many of the symptoms like a disregard for consequences and loss of control are similar to the symptoms of more traditional addictions.

If sex addiction is creating problems in your life, consider attending a meeting of the 12-step group Sex Addicts Anonymous.

2) Pornography addiction

Many spouses who find their partners addicted to pornography report this as being one of the worst addictions they can imagine. This compulsive behavior of someone addicted to porn can introduce feelings of betrayal and animosity into the relationship.

Some people addicted to consuming pornography become desensitized, requiring ever more graphic material to satisfy their appetites.

3) Eating disorders

Eating disorders are sometimes labeled food addictions. The most common of these are anorexia and bulimia.

An eating disorder is characterized by an abnormal or unhealthy attitude toward food. Whether it’s someone suffering from anorexia drastically reducing caloric intake or someone with bulimia binge eating and then forcing themselves to vomit or exercise excessively, eating disorders are a mental health issue that’s notoriously tough to unpack and treat.

4) Shopping addiction

Shopping compulsively can spiral out of all control for some people to the extent it mirrors a bone fide addiction. Instead, it’s widely considered an impulse control disorder.

Studies show there are gender differences in compulsive buying disorder. While there are mixed results concerning the rates of compulsive buying among men and women, more than 80% of those who engage with treatment are female. Males with compulsive buying disorders are more likely to present with co-occurring psychiatric disorders.

Treatment for this condition typically involves a combination of behavioral therapy and counseling.

5) Internet addiction

In today’s wired world, internet addiction can become problematic for some people when it is characterized by a loss of control and negative outcomes, whether at home or work.

Addiction Treatment at Compassion Recovery Center

Regardless of the nature and severity of your addiction, we have a variety of personalized treatment programs here at Compassion Recovery Center.

Using a combination of evidence-based MAT (medication-assisted treatment) and talk therapies like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), we’ll help you from detox and withdrawal into sustained recovery.

For anyone suffering from a co-occurring mental health condition, we have dual diagnosis treatment programs to help you address both issues simultaneously.

When you’re reading to leave addiction behind, call the friendly Compassion Recovery Center team to discuss your different treatment options at 877-414-3007