Review the topic resources related to substance use disorders and process addictions. How do
process addictions differ from substance use disorders? What are three ways in which the
treatment approach will vary from process addiction to substance use disorders? How will age
and/or developmental stage influence the treatment approach?
This was a distinction I didn't know before this topic! Process addictions are different than
substance use disorders in that process addictions are addictions to a behavior such as
shopping or gambling whereas substance use disorder is addiction to a substance that
affects the brain such as various drugs or alcohol (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2019). Treatments will
differ because substance use disorder might require a medical detox or medical treatment
while process addiction primarily uses behavioral interventions or counseling and therapy
sessions before implementing medical treatment. For substance use disorder, the
environment of the client is important because it will affect their accessibility to substances.
Clients with process addiction might focus on coping mechanisms and identification of
triggers. It is always important to tailor counseling sessions to the age and developmental
level of the client. Especially for younger individuals, it may be important for the counselor to
understand their family dynamic and what their home life is like. For adults, treatment would
need to address preexisting medical conditions or other conditions caused by addiction or
substance abuse. However, both of these things are important regardless of age!
Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. (Ed.). (2019).
Foundations of addictions counseling
(4th ed.).
Pearson ISBN-13: 9780135166932
Gopiram, P., & Kishore, M. (2014). Psychosocial Attributes of Substance Abuse Among
Adolescents and Young Adults: A Comparative Study of Users and Non-users. Indian Journal
of Psychological Medicine, 36 (1), 58-61.
https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.4103/0253-
7176.127252
