About Process Addictions
Dr. Amanda Giordano in her 2022 book on treating behavioral addictions indicates that addiction-related disorders no longer simply focus on problematic use of substances. With technological advances in neurobiology, addictions can evolve with or without the ingestion of a substance. Core Behavioral/Process Addictions (BPA) include Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), Sex and Love Addiction, Internet Use Disorder, Social Media, smartphones, shopping, binge eating disorder and buying addictions. There are similarities and differences in the DSM-V’s criteria between substance use disorders and BPA. However, they all involve an addictive process.
For more information on specific BPAs please click on the names below!
Gambling
“Any activity that has an uncertain outcome and involves risking something of value with the hope of increasing one’s wealth, status, or security.”
Binge Eating Disorder/Food Addiction
“Maladaptive patterns of eating in which individuals are unable to control their food intake, are unsuccessful in attempts to change compulsive eating behaviors, experience cravings, and experience substantial physical and psychological distress.”
Internet Gaming Disorder
“Pattern of excessive and prolonged internet gaming that results in a cluster of cognitive and behavioral symptoms, including progressive loss of control over gaming, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms.”
Sex and Love Addiction
“An obsession with with sexual thoughts, urges, and behaviors that may cause distress or that negatively affects health, job, or relationships.”
Hoarding
“A persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them.”
Compulsive Spending
“Excessive shopping cognitions and buying behavior that leads to distress or impairment.”
Non-Suicidal Self Injury
“Direct, deliberate, self-inflicted damaging of a superficial/moderate amount of bodily tissues, which is performed without the intent to die and without social sanctions.”
Other Potentially Addictive Behaviors
Internet addiction, social media addiction, exercise addictions, and tanning addiction.
Additional Resources for Counselors, Educators, and Supervisors
Screening and Assessment Tools
Binge Eating Disorder:
Binge Eating Scale (BES)
Binge Eating Disorder Screener 7 (BEDS-7)
Internet Addiction:
Internet Addiction Assessment (IAA)
Internet Addiction Test (IAT)
Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS)
Internet Gaming Disorder:
Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGD-20)
Gambling Disorder:
Excessive Gambling Screening Tool (EGST)
Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Disorder (NODS-CLIP)
Sex & Love Addiction:
Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST)
Shopping Addiction:
Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale (BHAS)
These measurements can be found at: https://psychology-tools.com/
Links for Additional Supports Including Social Support Groups for BPA:
• http://www.cdsdirectory.org/
• https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/self-injury/self-injury-help-self-mutilation-help-and-support
• https://www.advocates.org/events/virtual-support-group-self-injury-virtual-support
• https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/
• https://www.healthyplace.com/
• https://recoveryinternational.org/meetings/
The information provided by the Process Addictions Committee, a subsection of the International Association of Addiction & Offender Counselors on https://www.iaaoc.org/process-addictions-committee is for general information purposes only. All information provided on the site is in good faith and we make no warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information included on the site, including the blog. The site does not provide professional mental health advice. This site is for professional informational purposes only. Viewing this site, receipt of information contained on this stie, or the transmission of information from or to this site does not constitute any type of professional mental health provider-client relationship. The mental health educational information contained on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional with any questions you may have regarding a mental health condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking such based on the information provided on this site.
The PAC Blog is intended for professional individuals to share information, encourage and engage appropriate discourse regarding Behavioral/Process Addictions (BPA). Please be respectful to one another and use the blog to enhance BPA discourse amongst members. This blog is not to be used to advertise business or seek mental health advice. PAC/IAAOC is not liable for any loss a participant may feel they have accrued due to experiences on the PAC blog.