New Method Wellness – 2022
In recent years addiction has gained more attention as the country, and the world are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many types of addiction beyond the ones making the news.
The Difference Between Behavioral & Chemical Addictions
While the concept of addiction, in general, is not always the easiest to define, there are clear indicators of a present addiction. At its core addiction is defined by the dependence on a substance or specific behavior/activity.
Chemical and behavioral addictions both have the ability to negatively influence almost all parts of an individual’s day-to-day life. The most significant difference being that chemical addiction involves the use and abuse of mind-altering substances. While behavioral addictions are centered around a specific activity or process. Despite differences in what an individual may be addicted to, most types of addition feed a similar reward system in the brain.
One of the few differences being that the physical effects of chemical addition often appear in individuals at a quicker pace than in individuals who are addicted to behaviors such as gambling or shopping.