Response below discussion post.
1. According to your text, within the Addictions profession, there is sometimes a challenge and even debate related to substance addictions versus process addictions. In this discussion, defend your perspective answering the question: Do you believe a behavior can be diagnosed as an addictive disorder?
I believe a behavior can be diagnosed as an addictive disorder. Process addictions, which involve behaviors rather than substances, describe addictions to processes, feelings, behaviors, or actions (Alavi et al., 2012; Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2019). Brain imaging has proven the presence of similar biochemical responses to substances and processes in addicted individuals (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2019). Increased dopamine from behavioral stimuli encourages addicted individuals to repeat behaviors, or substance use, to obtain the reward the brain associates with the stimuli. The autonomic nerve system in both behavioral and substance addictions has been found to be dysfunctional (Choi et al., 2019). Not only does the brain function in a similar manner in behavioral and substance addictions, researchers have also found that treatment of addictive behaviors can be successful using the same methodology as those used to treat substance abuse disorders, as they share the same underlying disease, addiction (Kim & Hodgins, 2018).
2. Identify and explain the differences between substance addictions and process addictions in terms of neuro-biological, physiological, and psychological factors. Discuss all three of these factors in your post.
Neuro-biological differences between behavioral and substance addictions have been noted in alcohol and internet gaming addictions; internet gaming addictions are associated with more functional connectivity in the left ventromedial prefrontal cortex of the brain than in alcohol addiction (Kim & Hodgins, 2018). Another neuro-biological difference between substance and behavioral addictions is the interruption of neurogenesis that occurs in individuals addicted to certain substances that does not occur with behavioral addictions (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2019).
One physiological difference is the presence of metabolic tolerance in substance addicted individuals and the absence of that metabolic tolerance in behavioral addictions. Substance withdrawal is another physiological difference found between substance and behavioral addictions. Although absence of behavioral stimuli may cause those with process addictions discomfort, those with substance addictions can experience physically harmful, and even deadly withdrawal symptoms.
One psychological factor that differs between behavioral and substance addiction is motivations present in behavioral addictions that are absent in substance addictions. Internet gaming addicts may begin gaming to create community, to fulfill interests in technology and to participate in teamwork; this is typically not the psychological motivation behind substance use. Though some may begin substance use to create community, the measurable benefit of certain processes, such as gaming, gambling, and work, is frequently absent in substance use.
References
Alavi, S. S., Ferdosi, M., Jannatifard, F., Eslami, M., Alaghemandan, H., & Setare, M. (2012). Behavioral Addiction versus Substance Addiction: Correspondence of Psychiatric and Psychological Views. International journal of preventive medicine, 3(4), 290294.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3354400/pdf/IJPVM-3-290.pdf (Links to an external site.)
Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2019). Foundations of Addictions Counseling. Pearson.
Choi, J.-S., King, D. L., & Jung, Y.-C. (2019). Editorial: Neurobiological Perspectives in behavioral addiction. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00003
Kim, H. S., & Hodgins, D. C. (2018). Component Model of Addiction Treatment: A Pragmatic Transdiagnostic Treatment Model of Behavioral and Substance Addictions. Frontiers in psychiatry, 9, 406. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00406
