We Can Help You With Behavioural Addictions

Across the world, addictions are commonly associated with substances such as drugs and alcohol. However, it is possible to become addicted to a specific behaviour alongside the abuse of drugs and alcohol, such as gambling.

Just as substance addictions see many struggle to control their substance use, addictive behaviours and behavioural addictions cause those suffering to feel compelled to participate in certain behaviours on a recurring basis, irrespective of the consequence of doing so.

When an individual repeatedly participates in unhealthy behaviour and finds that their every waking moment is consumed by said behaviour, dual diagnosis treatment must be secured to treat both the substance and behaviour problem.

What Are Behavioural Addictions?

Behavioural addictions, or impulse control disorders as they are otherwise known, are psychological conditions that see those affected feel an uncontrollable urge to carry out an action, or participate in a behaviour, regardless of the impact that doing so may have.

Although a number of behavioural addictions are yet to be diagnosed and recognised by medical professionals, here at Asana Lodge, we provide dual diagnosis treatment if the behaviour is being fuelled by a drug or alcohol addiction.

 

Why Are Certain Behaviours Regarded As Addictions?

Although not everyone who participates in behaviours such as gambling will develop a drug addiction, some behaviours can create dual addictions if they lead to unhealthy relationships with substances and significantly damage an individual’s physical and psychological health.

Certain behaviours can also be regarded as addictions if successful completion of activities associated with them can feed the brain’s reward system and offer a sense of euphoria and pleasure.

Understanding the feelings that come hand-in-hand with certain behaviours and drug addictions, many people repeatedly carry out a certain behaviour. Eventually, behaviours and impulses become uncontrollable and can lead to the development of a behavioural and drug addiction.

 

What Factors Contribute To Behavioural Addictions?

When treatment for behavioural and drug addictions are administered, one of the main aims is to uncover the root cause of addiction. For many, this can be difficult, yet it is crucial if addiction is to be overcome.

While various factors contribute to behavioural addictions, drug addictions, mental health disorders, trauma, bereavement and stress are frequently noted as contributing factors.

Genetics, peer pressure, social influences and financial difficulty can also increase the likelihood that an individual will become addicted to a behaviour or drugs.

 

What Signs and Symptoms Are Associated With Behavioural Addictions?

Behavioural addictions significantly impair an individual’s physical and psychological health. They also drastically alter the way an individual acts and behaves and can lead to drug addiction.

However, several common signs, symptoms, and visible behaviours will ultimately determine how a behavioural addiction hinders an individual’s life. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Isolation from others, such as friends and family members
  • Participating in harmful behaviours such as drug or alcohol use
  • Developing obsessions with certain behaviours
  • Reduced inability to control behaviours
  • Financial difficulty
  • Lack of interest in day-to-day activities
  • Frequently calling in sick to work
  • Lying to others

When a behavioural and drug addiction is present, it is not uncommon for the individual struggling to also suffer from mental health disorders, insomnia and paranoia.

 

Treatment For Behavioural Addictions

There are many treatments available to treat drug and alcohol addictions, and dual diagnosis treatments are available for those with behavioural and drug addictions.

Here at Asana Lodge, our dual diagnosis treatment focuses on healing the body and the mind from the pessimistic ramifications that addictions have.

When an individual enters our residential rehab for behavioural addiction treatment, we administer treatments including detoxification, rehabilitation, psychological therapy, well-being therapy and holistic therapy.

These treatments not only help those struggling with dual addictions to understand their complex addiction in greater detail, but they ensure that coping strategies can be developed by supporting those in recovery as they identify the causes of their addiction.

While the therapies we administer often depend upon our clients’ personal addiction and recovery needs, cognitive behavioural therapy remains highly successful in treating behavioural addictions. This particular therapy encourages those struggling with a dual addiction to reflect on their past and change how they think and behave.

We also welcome all of our clients to take advantage of treatments such as Satori Chair Therapy.

 

Dual Diagnosis Treatment For Behavioural Addictions

As behavioural addictions often arise from underlying mental health disorders, abuse, trauma and bereavement, it is not uncommon for dual diagnosis treatment to be administered when behavioural addiction treatment is required.

Dual diagnosis treatment simultaneously provides treatment for addictions and mental health disorders to ensure that both can be alleviated.

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Asana Lodge is a leading UK based expert in Private Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Treatment. Find out how we can help by getting in touch with our friendly team today.

Contact Us

 

Contact Us Today For Behavioural Addiction Treatment

If you are concerned that a drug and behavioural addiction is hindering the quality of your life, you must secure dual diagnosis treatment as soon as possible. By contacting us today, we can help you turn your life around.

Should you be worried that a family member, friend or employee is struggling with an addiction, contact us to discuss our referral options and how you can help an individual.

Frequently Asked Quesitons

What Is An Addictive Behaviour?

Addictive behaviours are behaviours that provide pleasurable sensations when they are participated in. As defined by the World Health Organisation, addictive behaviours, such as gambling, develop into disorders as addictive behaviours are commonly associated with functional impairment and distress.

What Are The Differences Between Behavioural Addictions and Substance Addictions?

The main difference between behavioural addictions and substance addictions is that drug addictions and alcohol addictions see an individual consume drugs or alcohol. Meanwhile, behavioural addictions see individuals participate in a certain behaviour, such as watching porn, gambling or exercising

How Are Behavioural Addictions Diagnosed?

At Asana Lodge, we diagnose behavioural addictions by conducting a thorough clinical assessment. When an individual enters our rehab for behavioural addiction treatment, our clinical assessment evaluates their psychological health and wellbeing, encourages them to discuss the behaviours they participate in and identifies the symptoms experienced. Combined, this information ensures that a diagnosis can be made before treatment is administered.


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John Gillen - Author - Last Updated: 30 July 2021

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of Nad+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. his passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases.

The journey continues, in recent times john has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with Nad+ scientists and the very best of the medical profession in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Clinics own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists, Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with Nad+ therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.

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Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist)

Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist) - Clinical Reviewer - Last Reviewed:

MBBS, PG Dip Clin Ed, OA Dip CBT, OA Dip Psychology, SCOPE Certified

Dr Lapa graduated in Medicine in 2000 and since this time has accrued much experience working in the widest range of psychiatric settings with differing illness presentations and backgrounds in inpatient, community and secure settings. This has been aligned to continuation of professional development at postgraduate level in clinical research which has been very closely related to the everyday clinical practice conducted by this practitioner as a NHS and Private Psychiatrist.
He is fully indemnified by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) and MIAB Expert Insurance for Psychiatric and Private Medical practice. He is fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK with a licence to practice.

Dr Lapa is approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (1983)

Member of Independent Doctors Federation (IDF), British Association for Psychopharmacology (BMA) and The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO)

Dr Lapa’s extensive experience has also concentrated on the following areas of clinical practice:
– Assessment, Diagnosis and Pharmacological Treatment for Adults with ADHD.
– Drug and Alcohol Dependency and maintaining abstinence and continued recovery
– Intravenous and Intramuscular Vitamin and Mineral Infusion Therapy
– Dietary and Weight Management and thorough care from assessment to treatment to end goals and maintenance
– Aesthetic Practice and Procedures