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Addiction + Compulsive Behavior

EFFECTIVE THERAPY FOR OCD (OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER)

There are many forms of compulsive behaviors including compulsive shopping, exercise, gambling disorder, sexual encounters, shoplifting and other things that fall under the umbrella of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Individuals suffering from OCD often have ritualized various behaviors that they feel very little control over performing. At the root of OCD lies anxiety, and effective therapy can treat the underlying anxiety issues that lead to the compulsive behavior. The most successful therapy option regarding OCD is cognitive-behavioral therapy. By diving into fears and irrational thoughts, patients are able to realize the outcome of those daily occurrences is not detrimental. With help, the anxiety will start to disappear, and so will the compulsions by extension.

COMPULSIVE BEHAVIORS TREATMENT

Beyond OCD, compulsive behaviors can reveal themselves through a multitude of choices and rituals that seem imperative to one’s daily functioning. While cognitive-behavior therapy is effective in almost all cases, especially when treating OCD, there are other treatments available. Therapy sessions, either individual or group, can help work through common fears and misunderstandings riddled with anxiety. Therapists may also explore medication to help control specific compulsions. Each treatment plan is created specifically for the patient depending on their needs. If you or a loved one is suffering from OCD, please call our office to schedule your appointment and find freedom from your compulsive behavior.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE + DEPENDENCE/ADDICTION

Often, the words “abuse” and “dependence/addiction” are used interchangeably to describe the destructive relationship of an individual with drugs and/or alcohol. However, addiction specialists make a distinction between the two.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), abuse implies that the use of a certain substance is jeopardizing an individual’s health and well-being and possibly putting them in dangerous situations. A person who is abusing drugs or alcohol may be neglecting work and family responsibilities, getting in trouble with the law or getting into frequent arguments over drugs or alcohol use.

Dependence/addiction on the other hand, implies a strong physiological or psychological need for a substance, that causes withdrawal symptoms when the individual stops using it. Someone who is experiencing dependence/addiction may build a tolerance to the substance so that they need an increased amount to feel the same effects. They may also experience psychological symptoms like depression or anxiety if they can’t get the substance and attempt to quit several times without success. While abuse may lead to dependence/addiction, the two conditions are not identical.

Treatment for substance abuse and addiction includes therapy and education to empower an individual to understand and better address their identified problem. It is also important to understand that many people who abuse drugs or alcohol often suffer form other mental health issues that drive them to self-medicate. Addiction treatment empowers an individual to develop better coping mechanisms to lead a sober, drug-free life. Additionally, treatment for chemical dependence/addiction may require medical supervision as the individual goes through detoxification. Talk therapy and support groups are key components of a comprehensive treatment plan for dependence/addiction.

Contact Modern Intimacy today to schedule a consultation.