Behavioral addiction therapy focuses on treating addictions that are related to the uncontrolled performance of certain activities. This group includes m.in. addiction to gambling, shopping or computer games.
When do we deal with behavioral addiction?
Behavioral addictions can be difficult to recognize because using the phone or shopping are activities that each of us performs. The problem arises when these activities become compulsive and lead to a loss of control over one’s own actions.
As with chemical addictions, not being able to engage in a given activity causes withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, nervousness and anxiety. Noticing such symptoms in yourself should prompt you to start therapy quickly.
What does behavioral addiction therapy look like?
The treatment of behavioral addictions uses:
- individual therapy,
- group therapy,
- family therapy.
Individual therapy is used to understand the mechanisms of addiction, learn about its causes and learn how to safely release emotions. Therapists use a variety of methods, such as cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (CBT), which helps replace negative patterns with healthy behaviors.
Group therapy gives a sense of community and understanding, allows you to share experience and develop interpersonal skills. Family therapy allows the relatives of an addicted person to better understand their problems and thus provide them with more effective support in the treatment process. At the same time, it is a chance to improve mutual relationships that may have been disrupted as a result of addiction.