Behavioral/Process Addictions
When Habits Become Prisons
Not all addictions involve a substance. Sometimes, it is a behavior (gambling, technology, shopping, or work) that starts as a source of relief but evolves into a compulsion that consumes your life.
At The Tikvah Center, we recognize Process Addictions as serious clinical conditions. We understand that while you aren't ingesting a chemical, the chaos in your brain and the destruction in your life are just as real. Our program offers a path to regain control, helping you move from compulsion to balance.
What are Behavioral Addictions?
A Behavioral (or Process) Addiction occurs when a person becomes addicted to the "reward" feeling produced by a specific activity. The brain releases dopamine, the same chemical involved in drug use, creating a temporary high or sense of numbness. Over time, the person loses the ability to stop the behavior despite negative consequences.
We treat a range of process addictions, including:
- Gambling Disorder: The compulsion to wager money despite financial ruin or family distress.
- Technology & Internet: Obsessive use of social media, gaming, or smartphones that disrupts daily functioning.
- Porn Addiction: The compulsive use of pornography that disrupts real-world relationships and daily life.
- Shopping & Spending (Oniomania): Compulsive buying as a way to regulate emotions or fill a void.
- Work Addiction: An obsession with professional achievement that leads to neglect of health, family, and spiritual well-being.
- Binge Eating Disorder: Using food to cope with emotional distress (often treated in conjunction with specialized dietary support).
How We Treat Process Addictions
Treating a behavioral addiction requires a nuanced approach. Unlike drugs or alcohol, where the goal is often total abstinence, the goal with food, money, or technology is often healthy management. You cannot stop eating or using money, so you must learn to engage with them safely.
1. Identifying the "void"
We dig deep to find the root cause. What feeling are you trying to escape? Is it boredom, loneliness, anxiety, or trauma? We treat the underlying pain, not just the surface behavior.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is the gold standard for process addictions. We help you identify the "permission-giving thoughts" (e.g., "Just one more bet won't hurt") and replace them with reality-based thinking.
3. Boundary Setting & Environmental Control
We help you create practical barriers to prevent relapse. This might include:
- Installing blocking software on devices.
- Handing over financial control to a trusted family member temporarily.
- Creating strict schedules for work and rest.
4. The Jewish Perspective: Kiddush (Sanctification)
Judaism teaches us to elevate the physical world, not be enslaved by it. We work on the concept of Kiddush; making our actions holy. Using money for charity (Tzedakah) rather than gambling; using food for strength rather than comfort. We help you transform these behaviors from sources of shame into vehicles for good.
FAQs
Browse answers to popular questions. Don't see what you are looking for? Contact us!
Absolutely. It is very common for one addiction to "swap" for another (e.g., stopping drinking but starting to gamble heavily). We call this Cross-Addiction or Co-occuring disorders. We screen for and treat all compulsive behaviors simultaneously to ensure a complete recovery.
It depends on the severity. If the behavior has caused significant damage to your finances, relationships, or mental health, or if you have tried to stop on your own and failed, a structured program like our IOP or PHP is highly recommended to break the cycle.
Yes. The medical community (including the DSM-5) recognizes that these behaviors trigger the exact same reward pathways in the brain as heroin or alcohol. The "high" is chemical, even if the source is an activity.
We understand the fear of stigma within close-knit communities. We operate with strict HIPAA confidentiality. Your presence here is private, and we will never disclose your status without your explicit written consent.
Yes. We recognize that behavioral addictions (like gambling) often operate on the same neural pathways. We offer support for process addictions, often in conjunction with substance use treatment. Learn more about our work with behavior and process addictions.
No. Our center is a judgment-free zone open to Jews of all backgrounds—secular, reform, conservative, or orthodox—as well as non-Jewish individuals seeking high-quality care. We respect where you are in your spiritual journey.
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