Understanding the Effects of Addiction Interaction Disorder

What is Addiction Interaction Disorder?

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

These individuals are likely to exhibit compulsive behavior and struggle with two or more of the following dependent behaviors at any given time: In addiction interaction disorder, dependencies are separate and different, yet share similarities and consequences. The same emotions and stressors—including shame, trauma, denial, and stress—fuel them. Dependent behavior, whether it's substance use, a gambling dependency, or other process dependencies generally includes impairment of judgment and an inability to stop the dependent behaviors regardless of the negative consequences.

Addiction interaction disorder can become chronic and progressive if left unaddressed. While traditional substance use treatment programs have focused on a patient’s “drug of choice” (such asalcohol,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 dependencies must be identified and assessed both as individual problems and as pieces of the bigger picture. People with addiction interaction disorder may have co-occurring disorders, including process dependencies, alcohol use, opioid dependency, sex dependency, eating disorders, alcohol use, or other mental health issues or drug dependencies.

Clinicians must determine which dependency and/or substance use disorder is the most severe or life-threatening while also attempting to break the overall dependency 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 dependency.

Patients suffering from addiction interaction disorder should be encouraged to undergo comprehensive multiple dependency 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 use, alcohol use, 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 disorder. We have multiple treatment centers and compassionate clinicians to help you break free from substance dependence.

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