When you think of addiction, the first thought that comes to mind is likely a drug or alcohol addiction. However, a person can be addicted to behaviours that do not involve substance abuse. You may have noticed some concerning behaviours in your teen but do not know if you are overreacting or if the behaviour could lead to future problems. Learn more about behavioural addictions so that you can determine whether your child needs the help of a process addiction treatment program.
At Venture Academy, we understand that you may be worried about your child’s obsessive or compulsory behaviours, but you are unsure how to handle them. Our process addiction treatment program can help your child find a better sense of balance in their lives. Call us today at 866.762.2211 or fill out our online form to learn more about behavioural addictions and how we can help. But, what is a process addiction?
What Is a Process Addiction?
So, what is a process addiction? A process addiction, also referred to as a behavioural addiction, refers to a compulsive behaviour a person engages in despite the negative impact on their life. It does not cause an addiction in the physical sense like drugs or alcohol does. Instead, a process addiction involves a strong drive to engage in a particular behaviour for a psychological reward.
Some examples of process addictions are:
- Video game addiction
- Cell phone addiction
- Social media addiction
- Food addiction
- Shopping addiction
- Exercise addiction
Based on this list, you can probably see why it can be difficult to determine whether a behaviour qualifies as an addiction or a hobby. Many teens spend much of their time gaming, texting, and posting on social media. While it can be frustrating for you as a parent, especially if your teen participates in these activities and does not follow through on their other responsibilities, it is important to know the difference between normal behaviour and process addiction.
How Do You Know If Your Child Has a Behavioural Addiction?
There can be a fine line between your teen’s behaviours that you find frustrating and those that qualify as a behavioural addiction.
Some signs that your child may be dealing with a process addiction include:
- Their grades are slipping because they spend all their time engaging in the behaviour when they should be studying or doing homework.
- Their physical health is suffering due to the obsessive nature of their behaviour. For example, they do not take breaks from gaming to eat properly, sleep, or practice good hygiene.
- They do not participate in social activities outside of the home. Instead, they isolate themselves at home to engage in their obsessive behaviour.
- They are unable to cut back on the compulsive behaviour even though it has negative consequences on their grades, home life, and relationships.
- They become aggressive or violent if you try to stop them from engaging in problematic behaviour.
Gaming, cell phone, and social media addictions are most prominent among teenagers. If you notice the above signs in your teen, whether it is one of these common addictions or addiction to food or exercise, you can find help from a process addiction treatment program.
Discover a Process Addiction Treatment Program for Your Teen at Venture Academy
At Venture Academy, we understand your concern when your child spends all of their time playing video games or scrolling through social media instead of taking care of their responsibilities at home and school. We can help you determine whether your child is struggling with a process addiction and get them started with treatment to find a healthier balance in their lives. Reach out to us today online or at 866.762.2211 to learn how process addiction treatment works and how it can help your teen develop healthy life skills.
