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Emotional and Behavioral Health Rehab

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People who struggle with drug and alcohol addictions may need emotional and behavioral health rehab in addition to drug or alcohol rehab. Addiction is often both a cause and result of emotional or behavioral problems. Addicts may not know how to handle their emotions and turn to alcohol or drugs to numb painful feelings. In addition, negative feelings themselves can become a new addiction; the addict may use certain feelings, such as anger or depression, to block other feelings or problems from consciousness. If you’re struggling to deal with your feelings or think you might be addicted to negative feelings or behaviors, help is available. Call 800-660-0986 or fill out a quick contact form to begin getting the help you need to live a positive and productive life.

What is Emotional or Behavioral Addiction?

Emotional addiction may look similar to struggling with depression or other painful feelings. People who struggle with this type of addiction often cry or get angry. They may act out their negative feelings in destructive ways or seek comfort on a regular basis. However, addiction differs from going through a difficult time. Addicts continually return to the same negative feelings or behaviors even after the problem appears to have been solved and don’t seem to be able to let go of those feelings.

Addiction to emotional or behavioral problems is more difficult to detect than addiction to drugs or alcohol. You can tell if you or a loved one is struggling with chemical dependency because you see that you’re using the drug you had decided not to use. However, you may be suffering from an emotional or behavioral addiction if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Obsessive thinking about a problem. Emotional addicts can’t seem to stop thinking the same thoughts over and over that lead to the same negative feelings. They also may ask for reassurance and then not believe the person reassuring them.
  • Difficulty taking responsibility for actions. People who are addicted to negative behaviors or emotions tend to blame others for their actions or reactions. They also may expect others to solve problems for them.
  • Co-occurring disorders. Emotional addicts often suffer from depression or other disorders in addiction to addiction to their negative emotions. It’s also common for alcoholics and drug addicts to suffer from emotional addiction because they don’t know how to deal with their emotions.
  • Continued negative behavior with no obvious payoff. For example, a child who is developing an addiction to negative behaviors might continue to throw tantrums even though caregivers consistently respond by putting the child in his room. Similarly, adults may continue to express anger or other negative emotions in a destructive manner even though they suffer negative consequences such as loss of friends, disciplinary action at work or legal trouble.

Although emotional addiction can be both destructive and difficult to detect, treatment is available. Therapy or other counseling often helps emotional addicts deal with feelings and situations better. Clients may also learn new skills such as social and communication skills so that they can meet their needs in healthier ways. Family members may also benefit from therapy because of the way that the emotional addict has wreaked havoc in his relationships.

Emotional/Behavioral Addiction and Drug Addiction

Addiction Treatments

Addiction is a compulsive or persistent behavior that individuals continue to do despite the obvious negative effect on their lives. People can be addicted to virtually anything, with the most common addictions including alcohol, sex, drugs, eating and gambling.

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Alcoholics and drug addicts often turned to drugs or alcohol in the first place to numb painful feelings. Thus, as an addict comes off drugs, treatment for emotional and behavioral problems, including addiction to these problems, is usually a vital part of the treatment plan. When these addicts first seek treatment, rehab counselors usually evaluate them for co-occurring disorders so that they can treat depression or other mental health issues that may be contributing to addiction issues.

Treatment for alcohol or drug addiction thus usually requires a two-pronged approach. Treatment is aimed at both helping the client to stop using the substance he is addicted to and helping him handle underlying feelings and solve problems that contribute to the desire to drink or use. Treatment often occurs at an inpatient rehab facility, where clients live in a structured setting with other people who are working on defeating the same addiction. Some addicts get help on an outpatient basis instead so that they can continue going to work or participating in their other regular activities.

Regardless of whether your emotional and behavioral addiction is a result of drug addiction or another underlying disorder, help is available. Emotional and behavioral health rehab can help you learn new behaviors to help you express and resolve feelings in a constructive manner. Call 800-660-0986 or fill out a contact form to take the first step towards a happier, more productive life.