Understanding Addiction: Substance Use to Behavioral Patterns
The Sagent Behavioral Health provider consulted for this article on understanding addiction is Dr. Karin Ryan, LP, host of the Everyday Therapy Podcast.
When people think about addiction, they often associate it with drugs or alcohol. While those addictions are common, addiction can take other forms as well. Gambling, shopping, gaming, or other repetitive behaviors can sometimes become difficult to control and cause significant emotional or practical consequences.
Addiction is a complex condition that can affect the brain, behavior, relationships, and decision-making. It can develop through a combination of biological, psychological, environmental, or social factors and can have a significant impact on a person's life.
Understanding addiction and the patterns that can contribute to it can help you recognize when something has become difficult to control and when it may be time to seek support.
What is Addiction?
Addictive patterns often begin with a behavior that provides something a person wants or needs in the moment, such as pleasure, excitement, stress relief, or an escape from difficult emotions. When that behavior provides a rewarding or comforting experience, the brain learns to associate it with feeling better, which makes the person more likely to repeat it in the future.
For example, someone may have a stressful day at work and have a drink that helps them relax. Someone else may turn to gambling when they are bored, or someone may use shopping to distract themselves from difficult emotions. The behavior itself doesn't necessarily mean an addiction is developing. However, when a person repeatedly relies on a substance or behavior to feel better or cope with discomfort, that pattern can be increasingly difficult to control.
The Pattern of Addiction
If this pattern continues, the brain adapts to the effects of the substance or behavior and can learn to expect it. Addictive substances or behaviors can strongly activate the brain's reward system, including dopamine pathways, which can cause cravings that are hard to ignore.
The pattern can gradually shift from "I choose to do this because it feels good" to "I feel like I need this to be okay."
With repeated use, it can first become a habit and then an addiction when a person continues the behavior even when they recognize that it's causing problems. That doesn't mean a person lacks willpower or the ability to recognize the negative outcomes their addiction is creating. Addiction can physically change the brain systems involved in reward, learning, judgment, and self-control, which can make it hard to break the cycle without support.
Understanding Addiction: The Cycle
Addiction is unique from person to person, but it does often involve a repeating cycle:
1. Trigger
A person experiences something that creates emotional discomfort or a desire for stress relief.
Triggers might include:
- Stress after work
- Anxiety before a social event
- Loneliness
- Conflict in a relationship
- Boredom
- Sadness or depression
2. Craving
The brain remembers that a particular substance or behavior previously provided relief or escape. This memory can create a strong desire to repeat the experience.
3. Engagement in Activity
The person uses a substance or engages in a behavior.
Initially, they may experience:
- Relaxation
- Numbness
- Excitement
- Temporary relief from emotional pain
- Increased confidence or energy
4. Temporary Relief
The uncomfortable feeling decreases for a short period, and due to this relief, the brain learns to associate the substance or behavior with feeling better.
5. Consequences
Over time, negative consequences can start to appear, like:
- Relationship difficulties
- Financial strain
- Health concerns
- Increased anxiety or depression
- Shame or guilt
- Loss of control
These consequences can create additional distress, which can trigger the cycle to start all over again. Understanding addiction in the context of a cycle can highlight why simply telling someone to "stop" may not address the underlying reasons for the pattern to continue.
Understanding Addictions: Common Patterns
Substance Use
Substance use disorders are one of the most recognized forms of addiction. 48.5 million Americans ages 12 and older experienced a substance use disorder in the past year alone.
Substances associated with substance use disorders can include:
- Alcohol
- Opioids
- Prescription medications
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Other illicit substances
Behavioral Addictions
Addiction can extend beyond substance use. Certain behaviors can also activate the brain's reward system pathways and become similarly repetitive or difficult to control.
Examples can include:
- Gambling
- Compulsive shopping
- Gaming
- Social media use
- Pornography use
- Unhealthy relationship patterns
When Should Someone Seek Help for Addiction Struggles?
Consider reaching out for help if:
- A substance or behavior is interfering with daily life
- Relationships are suffering
- Attempts to stop or cut back have been unsuccessful
- You feel guilty about your use or behavior
- Emotional distress continues to worsen
- Physical or financial consequences are increasing
- You feel unable to control the behavior despite wanting to change
The best time to seek help is when you notice a pattern, not when the consequences become overwhelming or unmanageable. It is never “too early” or “not bad enough” to get support.
Related Reading: Recovery: How to Take Your First Steps | Sagent Behavioral Health
How Sagent Can Help with Understanding Addiction and Recovery
Recovery is a very personal process, and treatment at Sagent is focused on your individual needs. Support for addiction recovery often involves understanding triggers, developing healthier coping strategies, strengthening relationships, and addressing mental health concerns that may contribute to substance use or compulsive behaviors.
Depending on your needs, treatment may include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Psychiatry and medication management
- Outpatient or inpatient treatment
- Relapse prevention planning
If you or a loved one is experiencing addiction or struggling with substance use, consider reaching out to Sagent for support. Our experienced and compassionate team is here to help you find the right path forward toward lasting change and recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Understanding Addiction
What is the difference between substance use and addiction?
Substance use does not always mean someone has an addiction. Addiction involves a pattern of use that becomes difficult to control and continues despite negative consequences. A person may use a substance without developing a substance use disorder, while someone with an addiction may experience cravings, difficulty stopping, or problems with their health, relationships, work, or daily life.
How does addiction start?
Addiction can develop gradually through a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. A substance or behavior may initially provide pleasure, relief, or a way to cope with difficult emotions. Repeating the behavior can strengthen the brain's association between that behavior and feeling better.
Can addiction and mental health conditions occur together?
Yes. Substance use disorders and mental health conditions frequently occur together. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other mental health concerns can sometimes contribute to unhealthy coping patterns. Many treatment programs have a co-occurirng focus on substance use and mental health.
