Cross Addictions

Mind-Altering

Cross addiction makes it more difficult to resist the cravings for the original drug of choice. Whenever you engage in something pleasurable, your brain releases dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical. When you have an addiction, your brain needs that feeling. That need is what triggers cravings that can drive your loved one back to their original substance or activity that got them to rehab in the first place.
Potential Relapse
The new addiction (smoking, binge eating, video gaming) may seem harmless at first, especially compared to when your loved one was using alcohol and drugs. But in reality, anything can have a negative effect – physically, emotionally, financially, etc. Just as a diabetic needs to watch the intake of sugar, a person recovering from addiction must be cautious in avoiding anything habit-forming. Abstinence from all mood-altering, mind-altering substances (and addictive behaviors) is the best way to prevent a relapse into addiction.

While symptoms and treatment vary from person to person, there are common signs of addiction. Not every individual suffering from any type of addiction will show all of the following signs, but be on the look out for:

• Ignoring responsibilities, like work, family, or school, in order to engage in their compulsive activity
• Becoming irritable, anxious, or moody when you don’t have access to the substance or activity
• Committing illegal acts, such as theft or fraud, to fund their habit
• Abandoning hobbies or other things they use to enjoy
• Attempting to quit the activity or substance multiple times without success

While some substitute addictions, like exercise, can be beneficial – some need to be monitored and balanced. Although trading addictions may seem like a safer habit to have, they can still be damaging and very distressful to the individual.
The most important thing is to identify the root compulsive behaviors, recognizing how they are impacting your loved one’s life, and finding appropriate counseling.

• 1. Daily Plan – Help your loved one learn to balance work, play, and life without spending too much time on one activity. Having an adequate amount of time daily to recharge and refocus can help your loved one’s recovery.
• 2. Take Action – Help your loved one not put off responsibilities due to spending too much time on one activity. If your loved one’s obligations start to pile up because they aren’t balancing their responsibilities, help them refocus their attention and energy.
• 3. Find professional counseling or self-help support network. A skilled therapist can help them identify and examine the thought patterns and feelings underlying their addictive behaviors. Once you learn to recognize these thoughts and emotions, their therapist will help them find ways to deal with them in a healthy manner.

It is very common in early recovery to trade old behavior for new, unhealthy compulsive behaviors. It is important to distinguish addictions that occur at the same time to treat the root of our problem.

• Tobacco/Cigarettes
• Binge-Eating or Purging
• Gambling
• Gaming or Technology Use
• Sex
• Exercise
• Shopping
• Work
• Caffeine
• Developing a Co-Dependent Relationship