Cross-addiction occurs when one addiction (chemical or behavioural) is swapped for another. For example, a recovering cocaine addict may start abusing prescription drugs. Often substance abusers will gravitate toward another substance that simulates the effects of their original addiction (euphoria, mental stimulation, increased energy, etc.). However, they may also develop a behavioural addiction such as a gambling, shopping, eating, Internet, or sex addiction.
While the development of a behavioural addiction may seem less detrimental at first, any form of pathological behavior can quickly lead to relapse to the original addiction. Cross-addiction is a common problem for those in early recovery. Instead of using alcohol or drugs to self-medicate, food or sex may be substituted to help cope with stress, loss, or feelings of inadequacy.
Experiencing a lack of control over newly developed problematic behaviours may cause increased feelings of failure and hopelessness, and lower motivation toward accomplishing recovery goals. It is imperative to recognize the risk of cross-addiction in early treatment or recovery, because this struggle often leads to the early termination of treatment or a full relapse to the original addiction.
When a client becomes cross – addicted, he / she doesn’t always end up relapsing on the first addiction, but now the new behaviour / substance becomes their drug of choice. Even if the “new” addiction appears to be less problematic than the original one, (for example – pornography versus cocaine), any addiction which is left untreated, can progress into a life threatening disease. Addicts of any type who do not get proper treatment will not “live happily ever after”.
Like substance addiction, behavioural addiction is characterized by increasing tolerance levels, withdrawal symptoms, inability to terminate the behaviour and reduced functioning in all areas of life. The negative consequences of behavioural addiction include: marital problems, emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, job loss, financial instability, legal issues and medical problems. Many of the same treatment options that are available for substance addiction, can also be successfully applied to treating a behavioural addiction.
Addiction professionals are available to facilitate the treatment of a range of addictions and can recognize the symptoms of a cross-addiction. It is of critical importance that the Therapist treating your addiction has a good understanding of the concept of cross addiction (as well as the other forms of addiction interaction which will be discussed in a future article). Unfortunately, there are many clients who go for help for addiction “A” and end up with another addiction which either causes them to go back to the first one or continue the downward spiral of their life due to the new addiction.
