1. Using a Substance Abuse Treatment Program to
Avoid Substituting Addictions
January 25, 2013
| Last Updated on Tuesday, 07 May, 2013 13:27
In its most basic form, Addiction is a need for something that triggers a chemical process that results in
an altered state of being. What that something is doesn’t matter. Cocaine, Heroin, Meth, Pills, Ecstasy,
anything that alters your state of being will suffice. Our preferences for one thing over another are a
personal matter, but it all has the same result: altering how we experience the world.
“Process Addiction [. . .] will end in your death, just like every other drug you have done.”
Now, what if I were to tell you that you didn’t need to do any substance to alter your state of being?
You could pass every drug test while still destroying your life and that of everyone around you. Sound
awesome? It’s not. It’s called a “Process Addiction” and it will end in your death, just like every other
drug you have done.
Process Addiction
A Process Addiction is a need to engage in certain behaviors, regardless of the risk to your well being.
An example being Gambling Addiction. The Gambler knows the odds are against him ever winning
enough to completely cover his losses, but he keeps going regardless, because each small win he or she
makes, makes the gambler feel good. It triggers a Chemical Process in the brain, the same way that
drugs do.
In a way it is more insidious than a drug addiction because the behavior doesn’t need an outside
substance to be obtained and the only way to detect it is through constant observation. Since some of
these behaviors aren’t illegal to practice, Process Addiction may seem to have less severe consequences
than Substance Addiction. This is a fallacy.
Process Addiction is just as destructive as Substance Addiction, with many similar consequences and
behaviors. Gambling, Sex, Food, Work, all of these behaviors and many others can become Process
Addictions. They all trigger a chemical release in the brain that affects how you feel after engaging in
these behaviors and that feeling is what becomes addictive.
Breaking the Mold
Breaking the pattern of a Process Addiction is difficult but then again so is breaking any Addictive
Pattern. It can be done with help, therapy, medication, and support. In order for any of that to work
though, the person has to have a sincere desire to quit. That is the most essential part of recovering
from any addiction, the desire to stop using, otherwise any progress is temporary. Very few people are
able to overcome Process Addictions without some type of outside help. Hypnosis, NLP, and
traditional therapy are all effective tools in combating Process Addictions.
At Lifescape Solutions, we use all three of these methods to help our clients maintain abstinence from
both Drug and Process Addiction, and to help them overcome the underlying causes of their Addiction.
Few people turn to drugs and alcohol without some reason and losing yourself in a Process Addiction is

2. the same principle; you engage in behaviors to feel better and get that chemical release in your brain.
We also have a Recovery Coach program for those who wish to participate in it. It gives you access to
someone with the training and clean time to help you make decisions and encourage you to live
positively.