Addiction and compulsion are similar behavioral anomalies and can be easily misconstrued. Substance use can become compulsive for many, but others may have trouble distinguishing between compulsion and addiction.
Individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) or behavioral addiction may not fully understand the scope of their struggle. They may identify compulsive behavior but not be aware of when compulsion crosses into addiction. The lines between compulsion and addiction can become blurred, and even compulsions can become harmful on their own.
Distinguishing between addiction and compulsion can be challenging but may help individuals realize the severity of their struggle with addiction. Recovery is possible in either case, but the first step is acceptance and seeking treatment. Those who struggle with compulsions or addictions should seek treatment today.
According to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Health (NIH), a compulsion is an "uncontrollable urge to say or do something without an obvious reason." Those urges can become repetitive and, over time, more challenging to control. For many, their urges are related to everyday tasks, such as hand washing or turning off light switches. Though these seem harmless, they can easily lead to a decline in mental health.
We often observe compulsions among individuals diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is a "common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, recurring thoughts ("obsessions") or behaviors ("compulsions") that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over." Common compulsions individuals with OCD exhibit include:
Not everyone experiencing compulsions like these has OCD. However, if anyone is concerned about this area, they may consider bringing the matter up with a health professional.
In short, compulsion is a specific word that describes the intense urge to do something repeatedly. Though individuals struggling with a behavioral addiction or SUD may experience compulsions, they are still very different from addiction. Addiction is a broad term when individuals become dependent on substances or behaviors.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as a "chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences." Individuals can become dependent on several substances. Most common include alcohol, marijuana, heroin, opioids, and prescription medications.
Research indicates that SUD and behavioral addictions are similar in that specific behaviors can "produce short-term reward that may endanger persistent behavior despite knowledge of adverse consequences." Becoming dependent on a behavior may not have the same health risks as SUD. However, these behaviors can become life-consuming. Individuals struggling with behavioral addictions can be dependent on gambling, the internet, video games, sex, food, and even shopping.
Like SUD, treatment programs can help people cope with these behavioral addictions. Treatment programs teach people how to cope with urges healthily. Similarly, therapy can help them get to the root cause of the compulsions. Learning more about these treatments can better equip individuals with options for a life of recovery.
Similar to treating OCD and other mental disorders, addiction treatment generally consists of medications, psychotherapy, or a combination. Several treatments may help people overcome addictive behaviors, including:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a talk therapy that can help clients manage symptoms. It focuses on recognizing harmful thoughts and behaviors and effectively changing how they think and behave.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a method that combines various therapies and medications to help individuals be successful when undergoing SUD treatment.
Group therapy can be an effective addition to medications and individual therapy. It helps create bonds between people trying to recover from addiction. Addiction can be an isolating disease. Group therapy helps people feel less alone.
Learning and implementing skills like distress tolerance and emotional regulation helps clients manage emotional distress. Often, emotional situations can cause people to become erratic or react irrationally. Improving distress tolerance and practicing emotional regulation can help people remain under control in these situations.
Alternative therapies and holistic practices, such as yoga, meditation, breathwork, and mindfulness-based techniques, have proven very effective in treating addiction and compulsion. Holistic treatment is a whole-person approach. It treats the mind, body, and soul and helps individuals maintain their overall well-being.
Addictions and compulsions are similar in that people follow an urge to do something. One difference is that when struggling with addiction, individuals try to achieve a sense of pleasure or are looking to cope with intense and complex feelings.
Conversely, compulsions are just the urge to do something, and the action can often be associated with addiction. Individuals may still be after a similar sensation as people using substances, but it can be a bad habit for many.
Compulsions are not motivated by physical addictions. Especially in cases of OCD, compulsions are often motivated by fears. Individuals struggling with addiction are led by their desires regardless of the consequences.
Individuals should discuss concerns with a doctor if they fear their compulsions have become addictions or think they may be struggling with a mental health condition like OCD. Treatment is possible, and anyone can be free of their compulsions today.
Compulsions and addictions are similar in that a person struggling with either can not control compulsive behavior. Substance use disorder (SUD) is when a person's brain and behaviors are affected by the inability to control substance use. Similarly, a behavioral addiction is when someone is addicted to a behavior or feeling. That may include gambling, sex, food, or an addiction to the internet. Treatment and recovery are available for SUD and behavioral addictions in either scenario. Compulsions are uncontrollable urges to do something for no reason. That may be mundane, like washing your hands, or other, more concerning behaviors. To learn more about compulsions or seek treatment for addictive behaviors, call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
