Basics of process addictions Flashcards
(13 cards)
Ingestive addictions
Mood altering chemicals
Process addictions
Behaviors or actions (sex, gambling, work, food, shopping) still debated
Process addictions cont,
Prevalence unknown
- Criteria not clearly defined
- Comorbidity common
- Warning signs similar to those for substance abuse
Sexual addictions
- No DSM criteria for sexual addiction
3% of U.S. adults, 20-25% women - Varying definitions
“Addicted to lust”, loss of control (Sexaholics Anonymous) - Progressive path to increasingly dangerous behaviors (Sex Addicts Anonymous)
Potential behaviors of sexual addictions
May include, despite consequences…
- Compulsive fantasizing, masturbation, use of pornography
- Repetitive promiscuity, affairs
- Pursuit of exhibitionism or sexually abusive relationships
- Isolation, Guilt, Depression, Emptiness
Gambling addiction
- Impulse Control Disorder in DSM: Pathological Gambling
- Increased amounts of money to maintain excitement.
- Lies to conceal the problem.
- Relies on others to provide money
- Exhilaration when gambling
- More common in adolescents and men
- Brain changes; tolerance and withdrawal
Signs of gambling addiction
- Secrecy
- Increased spending
- Unexplained time away
- Increased debt and worry over finances
-Increased alcohol, drug consumption
Work addiction
“Workaholism”
- No recognized diagnosis
- Little data available on prevalence
- Socially accepted, encouraged, rewarded
- More research needed
Symptoms of Work Addiction
Dissatisfaction unless acting
Fast-pace
Perfectionism
Inefficiency
Inability to delegate
Health complaints
Stress, anger, depression, self-esteem problems
Compulsive Buying
“Shopaholism”
Consistent, repetitive purchasing in response to stress
Overspending, Indebtedness, Bankruptcy
Estimates of prevalence is 6% of the U.S. population. While previously thought to affect mostly women, experts say it equally affects men.
Media messages support consumerism
Food Addiction and Disordered Eating
Preoccupation with food, appearance, and weight
Issues of control, acceptance, and poor self-esteem
Similarities to chemical addiction
Overeaters Anonymous – 12 step process
Types of Disordered Eating
Anorexia
Compulsive self-starvation
.4% of women, increasing
Bulimia
Compulsive cycle – eating and purging
1-4% of women
Binge Eating Disorder
Compulsive eating, no purging
As many as 30 million people have an eating disorder.
Useful websites
Gamblers Anonymous
http://www.GamblersAnonymous.org
Sex Addicts Anonymous
www.saa-recovery.org
Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org
National Eating Disorders Association
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
