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Other Addictions
New dependencies, or new addictions, encompass all new forms of addiction that do not involve the intervention of any chemical substance. In these cases the object of addiction is a legally accepted and socially acceptable behavior or activity. Among the new addictions, we can treat:
Game+
The Pathological Game, more commonly known as addiction to the game is characterized by a continuous or periodic loss of control in relation to the act of playing; a concern in playing and getting money to play; by irrational thinking and maintaining this behavior despite the adverse consequences. It is a mental and behavioral disturbance inserted in the manuals and gnostics a little more than 20 years ago. It can be considered an impulsive-compulsive spectrum disorder and presents characteristics similar to Substance Use Disorder. There are three phases in the behavior of playing: phase of victory, loss and despair. The most damaging and well-known are luck and chance games involving money, but any enjoyable game can become highly addictive and problematic.
- Have you ever missed work or school hours to play? Read more
The Pathological Game, more commonly known as addiction to the game is characterized by a continuous or periodic loss of control in relation to the act of playing; a concern in playing and getting money to play; by irrational thinking and maintaining this behavior despite the adverse consequences. It is a mental and behavioral disturbance inserted in the manuals and gnostics a little more than 20 years ago. It can be considered an impulsive-compulsive spectrum disorder and presents characteristics similar to Substance Use Disorder. There are three phases in the behavior of playing: phase of victory, loss and despair. The most damaging and well-known are luck and chance games involving money, but any enjoyable game can become highly addictive and problematic.
- Have you ever missed work or school hours to play?
- Has the game ever created a bad atmosphere at home?
- Does the game affect or has affected your reputation?
- Have you ever felt remorse after playing?
- Have you ever played to earn money in order to pay debts or solve financial difficulties?
- Does the game lessen your ambition or efficiency?
- After losing in the game did you feel the need to return to the game to win back the losses you had?
- After winning do you feel a great desire to win more?
- Do you usually play until the last euro?
- Have you ever borrowed money to play?
- Have you ever sold anything to be able to play?
- Have you ever been reluctant to pay expenses with money you had intended for the game?
- Have you ever neglected your family because of the game?
- Have you ever played more time than you had planned?
- Have you ever played to forget problems?
- Have you ever committed or thought of commiting unlawful acts to finance the game?
- Has the game ever caused you sleeplessness or difficulty falling asleep?
- After conflicts, disappointments or frustrations do you feel a need to play?
- Have you ever felt the need to celebrate after being lucky for a few hours in the game?
- Have you ever thought about suicide or self-mutilation related to the game?
Shopping+
Shopping addiction, compulsive shopping or oniomania is yet another of those addictions in which the dependency mechanism is not born of a substance but a behavior. It can be described as an irresistible impulsive behavior for purchases that, unleashed, becomes uncontrollable. It is a complex problem and some signs are:
- impulsivity in relation to the act of buying
- buy as a way to cope with the stress of everyday life and relax
- difficulty in saving money, a need to spend part or all of it
- intrusive thoughts and needs to go out and buy
- feelings of guilt after buying any product, because it seems irrational
- buy items that you do not even need knowing that you have little money available or buy things even when you can not
- not show the things you bought or lie about the price, afraid of being considered irrational by the behavior.
- I buy things for myself to feel better
- I get nervous, anxious on the days when I can not go shopping
- excessive purchases cause you financial problems.
Sex+
Instead of sexuality being approached as a game, a relationship a communication - exchange of pleasure and / or feeling and a privileged moment of intimacy, some people live their sexuality in an obsessive way, becoming dependent of it. Sexual behavior is the means by which the dependent relieves stress, escapes the negative or painful feelings of intimate relationships that he is not able to manage. Sexual intercourse becomes a fundamental necessity to which all else is sacrificed. Some signs of sex addiction are:
▪ feeling that sexual desire is stronger than you
▪ finding yourself often absorbed in sexual thoughts and fantasies
▪ thinking that your sexual behavior is not normal
▪ your partner (or other significant person) worries or complains about your sexual behavior
▪ sometimes your sexual behavior causes you emotional / physical malaise or even pain.
▪ worrying that people might discover your sexual activities
▪ having alternations between periods of intense activity and complete sexual abstinence
▪ trying to interrupt a specific type of sexual behavior without being able to
▪ using sex or sexual fantasies to escape the problems of everyday life
▪ having feelings of guilt and depression after sexual activity
Finding one of these signs is giving you the certainty that sex is a serious problem in your life, even if your mind tries to convince you otherwise. Denial of the problem is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help. Sexual desire is so strong that the mind finds many ways to justify it even when the consequences are obvious. Contact us.
▪ feeling that sexual desire is stronger than you
▪ finding yourself often absorbed in sexual thoughts and fantasies
▪ thinking that your sexual behavior is not normal
▪ your partner (or other significant person) worries or complains about your sexual behavior
▪ sometimes your sexual behavior causes you emotional / physical malaise or even pain.
▪ worrying that people might discover your sexual activities
▪ having alternations between periods of intense activity and complete sexual abstinence
▪ trying to interrupt a specific type of sexual behavior without being able to
▪ using sex or sexual fantasies to escape the problems of everyday life
▪ having feelings of guilt and depression after sexual activity
Finding one of these signs is giving you the certainty that sex is a serious problem in your life, even if your mind tries to convince you otherwise. Denial of the problem is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help. Sexual desire is so strong that the mind finds many ways to justify it even when the consequences are obvious. Contact us.
Affective Dependency+
The issue of Affective Dependency is current, not only for psychopathological motives but for cultural changes that have been changing the couple's relationship, which, after failing to fulfill certain rigid social functions, tends to select ambivalent and conflicting adherence styles and favor the formation of unstable and fragile links. Hence a lability of the object of love in the so-called dysfunctional couples.
Emotional dependence, drug of love, psychological intoxication, are some synonyms for the affective dependence that has its origin in unmet childish needs. Children whose love needs have not been recognized and fulfilled can adapt, learning to limit their expectations, and forming thoughts such as "my needs do not count", "they do not like me" or "I am not worthy of being loved'. As adults, "love junkies" depend on others for self-treatment and problem-solving.
Emotional dependence, drug of love, psychological intoxication, are some synonyms for the affective dependence that has its origin in unmet childish needs. Children whose love needs have not been recognized and fulfilled can adapt, learning to limit their expectations, and forming thoughts such as "my needs do not count", "they do not like me" or "I am not worthy of being loved'. As adults, "love junkies" depend on others for self-treatment and problem-solving.
- they fear being rejected or abandoned
- the attention or presence of the other is critical to your well-being and safety, they prevent pain
- they do not trust their ability and their criteria so they seek the approval of the other
- they think they are unworthy of love
- for them love is obsessive, inhibited
- they avoid the risk of change
- their love relationships are parasitic and require an absolute dedication of the beloved
- there is often a lack of real intimacy
- they are obsessed with impossible needs and absolutely unrealistic expectations
- the desperate need for security serves as a guide to all emotional projects
Internet+
The internet is a multidimensional phenomenon, so dependence on the internet knows many forms. Addition to cybersex, cyber-relational addition, computer overload, computer addiction. Thus, Internet addiction is a behavioral dependence that involves non-human interactions and is similar to any other type of addiction to substances, especially with regard to psychological dependence. Some warning signs can be:
Finding one of these signs is the certainty that the internet is a serious problem in your life, even if your mind tries to convince you otherwise. Denial of the problem is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help. The desire to go online is so strong that the mind finds many ways to justify time on the web, even when the consequences are obvious. Contact us.
- concerns about the internet
- need for a greater amount of time spent online
- repeated attempts to reduce the time of use
- time management problems
- stress in family, school, work, with friends
- lies about time spent online
- mood changes
Finding one of these signs is the certainty that the internet is a serious problem in your life, even if your mind tries to convince you otherwise. Denial of the problem is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help. The desire to go online is so strong that the mind finds many ways to justify time on the web, even when the consequences are obvious. Contact us.
Work+
Work dependency is an addiction to which little importance is given, but by closer examination it is understood that many of the "classic" forms of dependence are not distinguished, especially in relation to the tendency toward physical, psychic, and social self-destruction. In general, the workaholic seeks to alleviate feelings of anxiety, emptiness, or low self-esteem by devoting himself completely to work, seeking to "do too much" to get the feeling that "it's worth a lot." Some signs for recognition of work dependency include:
Finding one of these signs is the certainty that work is a serious problem in your life, even if your mind tries to convince you otherwise. Denial of the problem is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help. The desire to be active is so strong that the mind finds many ways to justify the extra work, even when the consequences are obvious. Contact us.
- always running around and being super busy; not content to do one job at a time, try to do multiple tasks in the least amount of time required
- every activity must always be checked to see if it has been done correctly
- relationships fall apart because of work; abandonment of family and friends, declining responsibilities and missing important events; showing, this way, that work is more important than family and relationships
- nervousness; in the absence of behavior arise withdrawal symptoms.
- even outside of work have your mind occupied with thoughts related to work (when driving, eating, talking to someone, trying to sleep, etc.)
- impatience and irritability
- tolerance; progressive need to do more to achieve the same excitement and, in the case of addiction to work, to feel more and more appreciated
- lack of time to take care of oneself: skip meals, lose sleep, fun and exercise.
Finding one of these signs is the certainty that work is a serious problem in your life, even if your mind tries to convince you otherwise. Denial of the problem is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help. The desire to be active is so strong that the mind finds many ways to justify the extra work, even when the consequences are obvious. Contact us.
Mobile Phone+
The dependence on mobile phones is relatively recent and is increasing more in younger age groups. This dependence is a phenomenon that feeds itself only in function of its daily habit. There are several types of mobile phone addicts; SMS addicts have a continuous need to send and receive text messages; the new model addicts are those who constantly and continuously buy new models of mobile phones; the "exhibitionists" always walk with the phone in their hand to show others the functions of their device; the game players are characterized by the exaggerated interest in mobile phone games and those affected by the connected phone syndrome have a real horror of a turned off mobile phone or without battery.
A phone addict is someone who:
Finding one of these signs is the certainty that the mobile phone is a serious problem in your life, even if your mind tries to convince you otherwise. Denial of the problem is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help. The desire to be on is so strong that the mind finds many ways to justify its use, even when the consequences are obvious. Contact us.
A phone addict is someone who:
- Gives excessive importance to the phone and does not leave it for an instant
- Uses it all day as a priority instrument of communication with others
- When their cell phone is without battery they feel a great discomfort, anxiety and in some cases crises of panic and anguish
- The use of mobile phones is not dictated by needs, but is fueled by affective and relational needs.
- Needs to be in constant contact with someone.
- Seek alibis to justify behavior, such as convenience or security issues
- Has a great need for belonging, a desire for recognition on the part of the social group.
- Often suffers from social phobia or fear of loneliness.
Finding one of these signs is the certainty that the mobile phone is a serious problem in your life, even if your mind tries to convince you otherwise. Denial of the problem is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help. The desire to be on is so strong that the mind finds many ways to justify its use, even when the consequences are obvious. Contact us.
Co-dependence+
It is in the environment of Alcoholics Anonymous that a concept that precedes Emotional Dependence is born and developed: co-dependence, defined essentially as a multidimensional condition manifested by each dysfunction or suffering associated with the needs or behaviors of others. Co-dependence is a sickly way of enduring life as a reaction to another person's use of alcohol and / or drugs. It is an imperative need to control the other, things, circumstances / behaviors in the expectation of controlling their own emotions.
Some signs of co-dependence are:
Some signs of co-dependence are:
- Feeling responsible for another person, for their feelings, thoughts, needs, actions, choices, wishes, well-being and destiny
- Feeling anxious, and guilty when other people have problems
- Saying yes when you mean no
- Trying to please others instead of pleasing oneself
- Tolerating abuse so as not to lose the love of other people
- Feeling ashamed of your own life
- Having a tendency to repeat destructive relationships
- Being afraid to express your emotions openly, honestly, and appropriately
- Living helping people live and believing that they do not know how to live without you
- Trying to control events, situations, and people through guilt, coercion, threat, manipulation, and advice to ensure that things happen the way they feel is right