Process Addictions in Adolescents and Young Adults
By Curtis Reed
Teenage and young adult process addictions refer to compulsive behaviors, such as compulsive gambling, sexual addiction, eating disorders and spending addictions. This term is often used as a blanket for any behavioral addiction which does not involve an addictive chemical. Process addictions in adolescents and young adults are indeed a recognized medical and psychological condition within the mental health community, and are treated as such. Unfortunately, society as a whole has yet to truly understand the seriousness of process addictions like compulsive eating or web surfing that require immediate, professional intervention.
Because teenage and young adult process addictions are diseases with serious physical and psychological effects, it is important that their biological, psychological, social, interpersonal and spiritual components are treated. Process addictions are an often overlooked addiction. They are often overshadowed by substance addictions. This is unfortunate as the suffering, loss of life and family, and dangerous consequences are no less. Process addictions require psychological treatment to be overcome. Even though process addiction is often coupled with drug addiction, each addiction needs to be tackled in order for a full recovery to take place.
The process of teenage and young adult addiction is extremely complex, and it appears to be influenced by a variety of factors. Someone's mental state, genetics, and social status can all contribute to addiction, as can factors like childhood experiences. Addiction appears to be closely linked to the idea of psychological gratification, in that people learn to indulge in an activity or substance to be rewarded in some way, and this in turn creates a state of dependency.