Process Addictions

Addiction Interaction Disorder

Most addicts and alcoholics today face more than one addiction at the same time. These addictions not only coexist, they interact, reinforce, and fuse to become part of a package. This process is called Addiction Interaction Disorder (AID).

Addicted persons are likely to exhibit compulsive behavior and struggle with two or more of the following addictive behaviors at any given time:

In addiction interaction disorder, addictions are separate and different, yet share similarities and consequences. The same emotions and stressors—including shame, trauma, denial, and stress—fuel them. Addictive behavior, whether it's substance abuse, a gambling addiction, or other process addiction generally includes impairment of judgment and an inability to stop the addictive behaviors regardless of the negative consequences.

Addiction interaction disorder can become chronic and progressive if left unaddressed. While traditional substance abuse treatment programs have focused on a patient’s “drug of choice” (such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, opioids, amphetamines, or prescription painkillers), it’s important to focus on the unique set of addictions that defines an individual’s addiction interaction disorder. Left undiagnosed and untreated, addiction interaction disorder can leave patients at high risk for chronic relapse.

Treating Addiction Interaction Disorder

Treating addiction interaction disorder can be difficult, as multiple addictions must be identified and assessed both as individual problems and as pieces of the bigger picture. People with addiction interaction disorder may have a co-occurring disorders, including process addictions, alcohol abuse, opioid addictions, sex addictions, eating disorders, alcohol abuse, or other mental health issues or drug addictions.

Clinicians must determine which addiction and/or substance use disorder is the most severe or life-threatening while also attempting to break the overall addiction cycles. Someone whose addiction interaction disorder involves amphetamines and gambling, for example, should first be treated for their amphetamine addiction. Once the patient has gone through detox and is abstaining from drug use, they are better equipped to confront the gambling addiction.

Patients suffering from addiction interaction disorder should be encouraged to undergo comprehensive multiple addiction treatments in order to acquire strong recovery habits and an understanding of how to best deal with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. Caron offers substance abuse, alcohol abuse, and addiction interaction disorder programs that are tailored to the individual. Our treatment programs may include a combination of therapies including individual therapy, behavioral therapy, inpatient, or outpatient, depending on the severity of the addictive disorder. We have multiple treatment centers and compassionate clinicians to help you break free from substance dependence.

At Caron, we believe that recovery from addictive disorders isn’t just possible, it’s probable. If you or a family member are struggling with substance dependence or another addictive disorder, contact us online or call us today at 1-800-854-6023. We’re only one call away!