AH Twitter Chat: Addiction As A Process

Headshot of Roseann RookAddiction Hope: Welcome to today’s #AHchat! Today we will be tweeting with @timberlinetoday about "Addiction As A Process."

Addiction Hope: We would like to start by welcome our special guest joining us today.

Addiction Hope: Please welcome Roseann Rook, CADC, Clinical Addictions Specialist at Timberline Knolls.

Addiction Hope: Roseann has worked in the addictions field since 1993 and is so gracious to share her expertise with us tonight. Welcome Roseann!

Timberline Knolls: Thank you so much for having me, happy to be here!

Addiction Hope: Let’s get started with our discussion about Addiction as a Process. Be sure to Use.

Addiction Hope: Q1: What are process addictions? How are they different from Substance Abuse?

Timberline Knolls: A process addiction refers to being addicted to behavior rather than a substance.

Timberline Knolls: Actually, that is the only difference between the addictions.

Timberline Knolls: The criteria for any #addiction is the same.

Timberline Knolls: Continuing the behavior despite negative consequences...

Timberline Knolls: Experiencing a “high” from acting on the behavior...

Timberline Knolls: Loss of control and an increased need to act on the behavior to name a few.

Addiction Hope: Thank you for explaining that, Roseann!

Addiction Hope Q2: What are the most significant process addictions impacting society today?

Timberline Knolls: The most significant are gambling, sex/love, relationships, work, shopping, technology (in many forms) & eating disorder behaviors.

Timberline Knolls: Though there are many more.

Timberline Knolls: These are often unrecognized addictions especially where a person is praised for the behavior.

Timberline Knolls: Or looked at as a positive quality such as work and exercise addiction.

Addiction Hope: Q3: @timberlinetoday What are the statistics for process addictions?

Timberline Knolls: Process addictions go unnoticed and under-reported resulting in lower numbers than are reported.

Timberline Knolls: Some reported statistics show gambling addiction affecting 3% of the population.

Timberline Knolls: 12 million Americans having a sex #addictiction.

Timberline Knolls: 18 million with a shopping or spending addiction.

Timberline Knolls: 30% with a work addiction and 40% with eating disorders also have a substance abuse disorder.

Timberline Knolls: Since technological addictions encompasses many behaviors such as the Internet, texting, social media and video games...

Timberline Knolls: And include a large population of adolescents falling into that category has made it impossible to provide accurate statistics.

Addiction Hope Q4: Who is vulnerable to develop a process addiction?

Timberline Knolls: Although anyone can fall prey to a process addiction, those at highest risk are individuals predisposed to an addiction.

Timberline Knolls: All addictions stimulate the reward system for that person no matter what the behavior is.

Timberline Knolls: People in recovery are at risk of developing a behavior addiction to replace the original #addiction.

Addiction Hope Q5: Why are relationship #addictions important to address?

Timberline Knolls: #Relationships play a major role in the addictive process as well as in recovery.

Timberline Knolls: Returning to a toxic relationship places the person at high risk for relapse.

Timberline Knolls: Many addictive relationships go undecked if there are not obvious signs like physical abuse…

Timberline Knolls: As well as people being in denial about the relationship being as toxic as using a drug.

Timberline Knolls: Often a person is so focused on the unhealthy relationship that they do not take care of their own needs.

Addiction Hope: Q6: Why is treatment necessary for process addictions?

Timberline Knolls: There are several reasons. A process addiction can be just as severe, even deadly, as any substance abuse #addiction.

Timberline Knolls: If a person in recovery from substance abuse, is still acting on another addiction they will use that process addiction in its place.

Timberline Knolls: Any addiction serves the same purpose, a quick fix is a barrier to address underlying issues, making full recovery impossible.

Addiction Hope Q7: How does treatment work for this particular issue?

Timberline Knolls: Treatment for a process addiction is no different than for a substance addiction.

Timberline Knolls: There are 12 step meetings for all addictions, individual and group therapy.

Timberline Knolls: DBT skills are just as effective as well.

Addiction Hope: Thank you so much Roseann @timberlinetoday for sharing all this helpful information about process addictions!

Addiction Hope: That concludes our questions for our Addiction Hope Twitter Chat this evening.

Addiction Hope: Thank you so much to everyone who was able to join in our Twitter Chat today with @timberlinetoday!

Addiction Hope: Thank you again to our fantastic guest, Roseann, for joining us on this important conversation.

Timberline Knolls: My pleasure, thank you so much for having me!

Addiction Hope: If you are in need of #addictiontreatment for a process addiction, learn more about the services offered through Timberline Knolls.

Addiction Hope: Please check out Timberline Knolls at www.timberlineknolls.com.

Addiction Hope: For more helpful addiction resources, visit www.addictionhope.com.

Addiction Hope: Wherever this finds you today, be encouraged in your recovery journey and know that you do not walk alone. Take care everyone!

Addiction Hope: Have a good night everyone!

Timberline Knolls: Good night everyone!