Process Addictions (Behavioural Addictions)

Process Addictions, Gambling Addiction, Sex Addiction, Love Addiction, Gaming Addiction

What is a Process Addiction (Behavioural Addiction)?

Process addictions, also referred to as behavioural addictions, are not uncommon and many people are suffering from them on a daily basis. They can often go on for sustained lengths of time whilst remaining undetected or unrevealed. They can also have an equally damaging affect on a persons life, and the lives of many of those people close to them, as an addiction to alcohol or drugs does. “Process Addiction” covers a wide variety of differing addictions associated with a persons behaviours, including those listed above, where the principle of addiction is the same but no actual substance is used. The brain actually releases similar chemicals as it does when a substance is used so it has the same effect on the mood as a substance addiction. That effect then leads to the person actively seeking out more and more of the pleasurable or seemingly enjoyable behaviour, despite any of the negative consequences that occur. 



Some aspects of an Eating Disorder have similarities to process addictions, examples of which are, Gambling Addiction, Sex Addiction, Love Addiction, Pornography Addiction, Gaming Addiction and Spending Addiction. This specific type of addiction can often manifest in an individuals life in many different and truly overwhelming ways and they sometimes sit alongside an addiction to alcohol or other drugs.



There are also other less well known ones but these mentioned above are the main ones that crop up on a regular basis and are the most easily identified. It's important to remember that it is not unusual and all these addictions can be treated in a very similar way but with specific differences that are tailored to an individuals requirements, that's why it is a highly specialised area of addiction treatment. An addiction can be anything really and doesn't necessarily need to be doing you any obvious physical harm, however the hidden harms, those that are also related to a physical addiction, such as lack of finances, relationships, lack of social life etc. are all the same.

Process Addictions (Behavioural Addictions) & Substance Addiction.

Substance and Process Addictions do very often go hand in hand, in fact once clean and sober, the substance addict often realises that they have a process addiction that has only just come to light during treatment. This is because addiction treatment is all about addressing the behaviours around the addiction. We often hear people talking about 'addictive behaviour' and this regularly comes out in other ways once the drugs or alcohol are removed from the equation. Often, during a persons active addiction, the problem of a concurrent process addiction is regularly overlooked in favour of treating the substance addiction, simply because the drugs or alcohol are more outwardly obvious. It is the view of many that the process addiction is often the root cause of many peoples Substance Addiction, so understanding and addressing that will help conquer the overall addiction. Dealing with the existing Process Addiction will, in essence, make the battle of staying clean and sober from everything a lot more bearable and do-able. Process Addictions these days, are now rightly recognised and expertly treated in many rehab centres across the world and are usually treated alongside substance addiction clients. At CapeRecovery, we have access to our specialist, hand-picked, Addiction Treatment Clinics that frequently and effectively treat process addictions. Process Addictions are actually very complex in comparison to substance addiction and although they work on the same addictive patterns, they are slightly different to treat, though the basic principles always remain the same. Many people who have a substance addiction will have at least one process addiction which has either been suppressed or encouraged through the prolonged and increased use of drugs or alcohol. The important thing to remember is that although all addicts share many similarities, they are all individuals and as such they require a personalised treatment plan and that is what we do at CapeRecovery,  with our unique pre-assessment for every client. If you need any advice regarding any process addiction please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.

Where are we and what do we treat?

 We have specialist clinics all across Cape Town and the rest of South Africa and we are the Cape Town Rehab and Recovery Specialists.

Our extensive and wide range of quality, hand-picked and independent clinics can treat any addiction, dual-diagnosis issue and all eating disorders as well as: Sex Addiction, Love Addiction, Gambling Addiction, Shopping Addiction, Self Harming, Exercise, Fetishes, Hand Washing, Internet, Money, Relationships, Religion, Self Injurious Behaviours (SIB)  including Self Harm, Sleep, Spending, Stealing, Television, Trichotillomania (Chronic Hair Pulling), Gaming Addiction & Work.

All our specialist clinics have programs tailored to all the main process addictions, including Gambling Addiction, Sex Addiction, Love Addiction, Porn Addiction and Gaming Addiction. We have the complete CapeRecovery Experiences available and one specifically tailored for Behavioural Addictions, including a smooth transition through the whole addiction rehabilitation process, from Primary Rehab, Secondary Rehab, Continued Care Rehab, Tertiary Rehab and Supported Sober Living, to support from the Cape Town Recovery Community and Volunteering Opportunities! They are all sensitive to the nature of these addictions and have vast experience in dealing with them. It is actually a huge benefit for a person with a process addiction to be around those addicted to substances or those with different process addictions, as they soon start to realise that they have similarities between themselves. Simply put, an addict is an addict and the thing that develops into a  problem can vary but the behaviours are strikingly similar once explored.


Contact Us
Simply Contact Us for advice and rehab referrals by using this form and we will get back to you straight away with information on how we can help you, whatever your addiction problem. Or call, sms or WhatsApp on the number at the top or bottom of the page and one of our experienced and friendly staff will assist you.

So, we specialise in the treatment of process addictions (behavioural addictions), be it gambling addiction, sex addiction, love addiction, gaming addiction or any other addiction and we can help you get the best possible treatment!