Addiction covers many different facets, and though most people think of drugs or alcohol when they talk about addiction, it can include other things, too. Addiction can be just as serious no matter what the person is addicted to, and it is important for them to seek help to overcome the addiction when they’re unable to do it alone. Before looking for help, it may be beneficial to learn more about substance versus behavioral addictions.
Defining Addiction
Addiction, at its most simple definition, is continuing to do something despite negative consequences. With substance abuse, the person will continue taking the substance even though they’ve lost their job, have health issues, and may be suffering from the side effects of the drug. With behavioral addiction, they may continue the addiction despite consequences like losing a job. Help is available, but the person needs to look into one of the world’s best psychiatric clinics to start getting the help they need.
What is a Substance Addiction?
Substance addiction is a physical addiction that occurs when someone abuses substances. It can involve being addicted to alcohol or drugs, and it’s a medical addiction that causes the person to go through withdrawal if they try to quit using the substance. Anyone can become addicted to substances, including those who start taking medications for pain or illnesses, which is part of the cause of the opioid crisis. It can be dangerous to go through withdrawal alone, so those who are trying to quit substances will want to seek help.
What is a Behavioral Addiction?
Behavioral addiction works a little differently. When someone is addicted to a behavior, they find it difficult to stop doing that behavior even if they have negative consequences. A common example of this is gambling. The person may continue to gamble, even if they’ve lost all of their money, their home, their job, and their family. Behavioral addiction can include gambling, sex, technology, shopping, exercise, and many other types of behaviors.
The Main Differences Between Them
Both involve being obsessed with something and continuing to do it despite the negative consequences. However, there are distinct differences between them. Substances will generally have a negative effect on a person’s health. Behavioral addiction doesn’t always have a negative impact on the person’s health, but it can impact their overall well-being if they aren’t getting enough exercise or if they exercise too much. Substances are far more destructive for a person’s health because of the side effects, potential illnesses, and more.
The other main difference between them is how to stop the addiction. Because substance addiction is physical, the person will need to go through withdrawal, which can be dangerous to do alone. With behavioral addiction, there is no physical dependency, so withdrawal isn’t necessary. However, they still can find it difficult to quit the behavior and may require assistance.
Both substance and behavioral addictions involve an impulsive component that makes it challenging for the person to quit on their own. However, help is available for both types of addiction, and it is possible for anyone to recover and prepare for a better future. Talk to a psychiatrist today to learn more about the various options for addiction recovery today to learn more about how they can help with both types of addiction.
