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Process Addictions Addiction is a persistent compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. Everyone is addicted to something to some extent at some point in their life.
While the obvious addictions are substance addictions which include tobacco, alcohol and drugs, there are also the "process" addictions, the mood-altering behaviors or activities which include gambling, sex, love, work, shopping, computers, cell phones, etc. There is a growing recognition that many addicts are addicted to more than one substance or process at a time.
Whenever we engage in an activity with the intention of avoiding our painful feelings, we are using that activity as an addiction. We can use anything as a way of avoiding how we feel and to avoid taking responsibility for our feelings. In other words, anything can be an addiction, depending on our intention.
We at FRN Intervention Services offer help for persons who are struggling with a process addiction and trying to get life "back on track".
Sexual Addiction Treatment
We must look at sexual addiction from a clinical aspect. The person who is a sex addict has a compulsion that haunts them. It is like the alcoholic who suffers from closet drinking and then gets caught; the difference is that sex addiction is surrounded by much more than shame.
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In general, a client's biggest fear is that they will not be able to stop acting out. But there is hope. Learning new behaviors is essential. There are several studies dating back to the early '70s documenting a neuron-chemical change that takes place in the body during sexual behavior. Patrick Carnes states, "Contrary to enjoying sex as a self-affirming source of physical pleasure, the sex addict has learned to rely on sex for comfort from pain, for nurturing or relief from stress."
Sex addiction can manifest in a variety of ways, however, through group and individual counseling, a sex addict begins to see the similarities in their manifestations compared to peers dealing with compulsions.
Problem and Compulsive Gambling
Problem and compulsive gambling is defined as having the urge and craving to gamble despite the consequences. With the onset and popularity of poker played in casinos and online, we have seen an upsurge in families torn apart by this issue.
 Pathological gambling is the clinical term used when treating a gambling addiction. Problem behaviors around gambling include:
- Sports betting
- Casino gambling
- Racetrack betting
- Manipulation of stocks, bonds and futures commodities
All these can occur on the Internet and in regular business.
Like most addictions the gambler thinks they can stop at any time and truly cannot understand why they need to stop immediately. By using an intervention, we can address the issues that cause triggers and also address the devastation that compulsive gamling causes to the family.
Many studies have determined that the change in brain chemistry which occurs during gambling addiction is similar in nature to chemical addiction. When faced with a situation that can cause a thrill of excitement or stress of possibly losing, the gambler will actually have a chemical reaction that can be similar to a cocaine addict receiving an infusion of cocaine. As debts build up, the gambler at times can turn to other forms of self-destructive behaviors such as alcohol or drug abuse and even theft.
Don't let gambling take over your family. Let FRN Intervention Services build a bridge to a new life.
Internet Addiction
Internet addiction has become prevalent in the United States. This addiction has been described as an impulse control disorder. The interesting and obvious point is that Internet addiction is very similar in nature to pathological gambling.
Many Internet addicts find themselves compulsively drawn to online communities. Sexual compulsivity, at times, is the root of the addiction. The preoccupation and anticipation of what is waiting for the addict takes away from being present in conversations and activities. As a result of this preoccupation and poor impulse control we see more and more Internet addicts suffering from increased anger, poor hygiene, poor social skills and loss of important relationships.
If you believe a loved one or coworker is addicted to the Internet, please call us to find out what the next step is.
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We are here to listen. If you have any questions about the services we offer or would like more information about us, please fill out the form below and a representative will contact you shortly.
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