Addiction

I work with both the person struggling with addiction and the family, loved-ones who are also struggling.

My approach to SUD maybe a bit unique. Psychoeducation is a key part of therapy, as well as as addressing the Relational Self-Abandonment:  Attachment-Based Self-Erosion, that occurs due addictive complexities. I approach addiction therapy through an intersectional lens, helping you understand the deeper connections between addictive behaviors, OCD-related patterns, trauma, and emotional survival strategies.

I help you move from the : Self as Addict and Self as Defective…

to a view of curiosity and neutrality to move out of shame to healing and interpersonal choice. Rebuilding your core concept of Self. A self that is filled with many parts of capabilities.

Moving toward curiosity, truth, honesty and self-disclosure. Moving towards ego-syntonic: > so your behaviors and thoughts align with your values and self-image.

Process Addiction:

Process addictions (behavioral addictions) are different from substance use disorders, since this is action based on ingesting. The targeted action involves a compulsion to perform a specific behavior.  Both create similar brain chemistry changes, craving, and damage to life, but process addictions lack physical, detectable withdrawal signs like those seen in alcohol or drug abuse.

Differences Between Process and Substance Addictions

 Process addictions are behaviors (i.e.) (gambling, gaming, shopping, eating, sex). Substance addictions are chemicals (drugs, alcohol, nicotine).

Process addictions often have no physical signs and are harder to detect.

Withdrawal Symptoms: Substance withdrawal often involves serious, sometimes fatal, physical symptoms. Process withdrawal is typically psychological, manifesting as irritability, anxiety, or depression. 

Key Similarities
Both types of addiction share significant features:

Compulsive Engagement: An inability to stop the behavior or substance use despite wanting to and knowing it causes harm.

Tolerance: The need to engage in the behavior or use more of the substance over time to achieve the same "high" or pleasure.

Brain Reward Pathways: Both activate the brain’s dopamine reward system.

Negative Consequences: Both result in severe disruption to personal relationships, work, and finances

Common Examples of Process Addictions

Gambling addiction. Often cited as the most common, this is the only process addiction officially recognized in the DSM-5.

Compulsive shopping/buying

Shoplifting

Internet or gaming addiction

Sex or pornography addiction. Also known as hypersexual disorder, this involves compulsive, uncontrollable sexual behaviors or pornography use.

Compulsive exercising

Eating disorders (overeating)

Work Addiction (Workaholism): An obsessive need to work to the detriment of personal life and health.