What is a Process Addiction?

Any process to access any behavior that serves as an escape from any type of despair or discomfort may be a process addiction. The following descriptions are different process addictions commonly treated at Coeur d’Alene Counseling.

GAMBLING ADDICTION

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Gambling addiction, sometimes called “problem gambling,” is an impulse-control disorder. Compulsive gamblers can’t control the urge to gamble, even when they know it has negative consequences that will hurt themselves and their families through strained relationships and financial problems. Unpleasant feelings — such as stress, depression, loneliness, fear and anxiety — can trigger or worsen the disorder. Compulsive gamblers continue to gamble though they know the odds are against them, and they can’t afford to lose.

What are the effects of Gambling Addiction?
Problem gambling can strain relationships, interfere with responsibilities at home and at work and lead to financial ruin. Individuals struggling with a gambling addiction may feel the need to be secretive about their gambling, have trouble controlling the urge to gamble, gamble money they do not have, steal or cause family and friends to worry about their gambling behavior.

Gambling addicts get the same rush from gambling as other addicts get from drugs or alcohol. The act of gambling alters an addict’s mood, compelling him or her to gamble in order to achieve a “high.” Just as alcoholics and drug addicts develop a tolerance to alcohol and drugs, the gambler will need to gamble more and more to achieve the same effect. The continuous search for that “high” ultimately develops into an addiction.

GET HELP FOR GAMBLING ADDICTION
At Coeur d’Alene Counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, task-based modalities, and other techniques help clients change unhealthy gambling behaviors. Problem gamblers learn how to control their urges, deal with uncomfortable emotions and resolve underlying issues that brought about the addiction with our gambling addiction treatment.

Ref.: The Meadows

LOVE ADDICTION

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Love addiction is described as one person “loving” another person with an obsessive intensity that is not in the best interest of either party. Love addiction is a painful, compulsive and addictive disorder that negatively impacts not only the addict but the object of their obsession. Coeur d’Alene Counseling’s Love Addiction Program helps our patients to overcome root issues and take steps towards experiencing healthy, fulfilling relationships.

What are the effects of Love Addiction?
Love addicts tend to focus a tremendous amount of energy on romantic relationships—whether they are involved in one, looking for the next one or avoiding one altogether. They tend to become involved in brief, intense romantic relationships. If they are involved in a long-term relationship, it is usually characterized by many highs and lows. In some cases, love addicts completely withdraw from romantic or sexual relationships to avoid feelings of vulnerability.

The causes of love addiction are rooted in childhood trauma. Individuals lacking self-esteem or who had less-than-nurturing childhoods may grow up looking for constant reassurance from others. Love addicts also tend to enjoy the feeling of excitement that being “in love” brings.

Ref.: The Meadows

LOVE AVOIDANCE

Love avoidance is the refusal to show love for someone out of fear of being hurt. Individuals who turned to love avoidance carefully guard themselves when in relationships. These individuals avoid intimacy in order to protect themselves from rejection, loss and the types of pain that accompany an intimate relationship.

What are the effects of Love Avoidance?
People who suffer from love avoidance do everything they can to conceal their vulnerability from others, especially loved ones. Love avoidance does not literally mean avoiding love, rather it is an unhealthy way of reacting to relationship trauma. Love avoidants have past experiences of feeling unwanted or unloved, which result in a need for excessive acceptance, praise and compliments from their spouses, partners or loved ones in order to enhance their self-esteem.

Love avoidants act in extremes, such as taking steps to avoid meeting sexual and emotional needs, which can lead to self-destruction. They become afraid of commitments and emotional attachments.

Ref.: The Meadows

WORK ADDICTION

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Work addiction is a condition in which individuals are unable to set healthy boundaries around their job schedules. Work addicts use work as their source of satisfaction in life. This choice not only affects the addict, but family and co-workers as well.

What are the effects of Work Addiction?
Work addicts are constantly driven to perform and are unable to relax or feel a sense of accomplishment. Their behaviors are self-imposed and based on inaccurate self-perceptions, stemming from underlying emotional problems. Work addicts generally exaggerate their importance and accomplishments, using work to avoid negative emotions.

Ref.: The Meadows

For more information on process addiction treatment, call (208) 755-7114.

Testimonials

"Coeur d'Alene Counseling understood the severity of my illness and helped me resolve rooted issues formed as a young girl. The program’s curricula and methodology allowed me to reconnect to my family."

Client
"This program allowed me to heal from the destructive patterns of Love Addiction. I now live a life filled with hope and serenity. "

Client
"I was unaware that Love Addiction had such a powerful control over my mind. It wasn’t until my life became unmanageable and chaotic that I sought help. Coeur d'Alene Counseling’s expertise and guidance gave me tools to find freedom. I am now a whole, authentic woman who lives a peaceful, purposed filled life. "

Client
"My staff says that I am more approachable and much better about communicating with them. I am more present to their needs and I am being told that their work environment is much better place. I am so grateful to Coeur d'Alene Counseling!"

- Patient
"My children say they see a change in me. They say that they feel really loved by me. There is something different about me now. It’s through the tools I have learned through Coeur d'Alene Counseling that has helped me to be a better father."

- Patient
"I felt that I could never be helped because my addiction wasn’t something that could be treated. But I was wrong – thank God I found Coeur d'Alene Counseling."

- Patient
"I didn’t realize that this sense of security I developed with myself and my wife was even possible until Coeur d'Alene Counseling came into my life."

- Patient
"The program helped me to find myself – figure out who the real me is. I found a sense of wellbeing that has opened doors I never knew were available."

- Patient
"Coeur d'Alene Counseling’s program changed my life. The course of my marriage was an almost certain divorce. Now it’s an authentic trusting and loving relationship."

- Patient
"Rarely was there a moment that I did not feel like I was at my end. This program has taught me to strengthen my mind, and sobriety is leading me to a future."

- Patient
"I have a relationship with my kids again."

- Patient
"This program helped me become the man my wife wanted."

- Patient
"Sex addiction nearly took my life. Recovery has saved it"

- Patient
"Dread was my most feared feeling. Now I can hardly remember feeling it."

- Patient
"The program has helped me begin loving myself"

- Patient
"I thought I would never find some peace. I found some."

- Patient