Transfer addiction, also known as cross-addiction, often occurs in individuals who fail to address the root causes of their substance use disorder (SUD). Cross-addiction can happen when someone shifts their focus to a new vice, such as food, gambling, social media, exercise, shopping, or even work in addiction recovery.
While transfer addiction may not seem as harmless as a drug or alcohol use disorder, it is still an unhealthy, compulsive behavior that harms health and well-being.
What Is Transfer Addiction?
Substance use disorders (SUDs), such as drug or alcohol addiction, rewire the brain’s reward system. Without comprehensive treatment of the underlying causes of the addiction, individuals are more susceptible to transferring their dependency to another behavioral or substance addiction. Addiction makes the brain crave the dopamine surge that comes from certain substances or activities.
So when someone stops engaging in a particular behavior or using mind-altering substances, the brain seeks another substitution or source of stimulation. As a result, individuals may fall into addictive behaviors such as food addiction, eating disorders, exercise, or work addiction.
Why Cross Addiction Happens
Several factors contribute to transfer addiction, including:
- Shared reward pathways
- Unresolved emotional issues
- Lack of coping mechanisms
- Relapse prevention focus
Addictive substances and behaviors activate similar areas of the brain, including the dopamine and opioid signaling systems. Unresolved trauma, depression, and anxiety can drive someone to seek relief in new vices in recovery.
Without healthy coping techniques for managing stress and emotional issues, individuals may turn to other addictive behaviors. In some cases, addiction treatment and recovery efforts may focus too closely on drug or alcohol abuse, neglecting the existence of other unhealthy behaviors and addictions.
Recognizing the Signs of Transfer Addiction
If you or a loved one are in early recovery from substance abuse, gambling, or another behavioral addiction, identifying the signs of cross-addiction is critical. The most common signs can include:
- Increased time and energy spent on a new activity/habit
- Trouble controlling the behavior/habit
- Neglecting relationships and responsibilities
- A rush of euphoria followed by regret or guilt
Transfer addiction, whether prescription drugs, alcohol, working out, or eating, can increase the risk of relapse. Developing a dependency on an activity, behavior, or substance can uncover old memories, feelings, and habits associated with your substance use disorder (SUD).
Common Types of Cross-Addiction
Transfer addiction can stem from unaddressed psychological issues, poor coping mechanisms, or a lack of support in addiction recovery. Someone in early recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) might turn to food, shopping, working out, or social media for relief, posing the risk of developing a new addiction.
Different examples of transfer addictions can include food and eating disorders, compulsive shopping and gambling, exercise, working, or excessive technology use.
Food and Eating Disorders
People in recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD) may resort to food for comfort and satisfaction. This coping mechanism can lead to overeating, binge eating, and other eating disorders. On the other hand, some may develop restrictive eating habits as a means of self-control, heightening the risk of anorexia nervosa.
Gambling and Shopping Addiction
Shopping and gambling in substance abuse recovery can supply a temporary sense of fulfillment and an adrenaline rush. Compulsive gambling and shopping can result in transfer addiction for someone in recovery from an alcohol or drug use disorder.
Exercise and Work Addiction
While physical exercise and working are generally perceived as healthy and essential habits, they can become problematic. Individuals in addiction recovery may shift all of their focus and ambition toward working out or their job, resulting in cross-addiction. Work and exercise addiction can disrupt a person’s balance, mental health, and well-being in recovery.
Technology and Social Media Addiction
Social media and technology have entirely infiltrated every aspect of our lives positively and negatively. Excessive use of social media, online video games, or the internet can become addictive, altering both mental and physical health. Developing a technology or social media addiction in substance abuse recovery can be detrimental to your health, well-being, and sobriety.
How to Prevent and Manage Transfer Addiction in Recovery
If you’re struggling with transfer addiction or a co-occurring disorder in recovery, it’s crucial to recognize the warning signs early. Compulsive behaviors, neglecting responsibilities, or prioritizing new activities or habits over healthier routines can all indicate cross-addiction.
By focusing on mental and emotional health, cultivating strong support systems, and fostering self-awareness, you can break the cycle of dependency and addiction in your life.
Address the Underlying Causes
Ongoing therapy can help individuals in addiction recovery uncover and resolve the emotional and psychological triggers of addiction. Working on the root causes of substance use disorders (SUDs) reduces the likelihood of individuals seeking substitutions in recovery. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused therapy can help address triggers in recovery.
Therapy encourages establishing healthy boundaries, coping mechanisms, and personal development. Monitoring patterns, such as daily thoughts, habits, and feelings, can help pinpoint unhealthy tendencies early on. Limiting potentially risky behaviors, such as shopping, screen time, or sober social activities that may trigger addictive behaviors.
Build Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment encourages the development of a healthy routine with constructive coping mechanisms. Developing tools for handling emotional challenges, stress, and anxiety in recovery reduces the risk of resorting to behavioral addictions or other substances.
Mindfulness and meditation increase self-awareness while calming the mind, whereas physical activity boosts mood and lowers cortisol. Individuals in recovery from addiction are encouraged to pursue creative outlets and hobbies, such as music, art, or writing, for emotional release.
Seek Ongoing Recovery Support
Attending recovery support groups and mental health counseling regularly can sustain accountability and guidance in recovery. Maintaining healthy connections with family members, friends, mentors, and sober communities can also help renew focus on recovery efforts and goals.
Building a sustainable recovery from addiction requires a long-term plan and a balanced routine for maintaining and managing sobriety. Preventing and managing transfer addiction requires a proactive approach with a strong support system. In prioritizing professional counseling, a healthy routine, and support networks, individuals can maintain their recovery journey free from the chains of addiction.
Contact Coastal Detox for addiction recovery support and 24/7 drug detox in Stuart, FL.
References:
- JAMA Psychiatry, 2014. Testing the Drug Substitution Switching-Addictions Hypothesis.
- Psychology Today, 2019. The Challenge of Cross Addiction.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2016. Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health: CHAPTER 2THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF SUBSTANCE USE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION.
- Healthline, 2024. 6 Common Types of Eating Disorders (and Their Symptoms).
- Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 2010. Pathological gambling and compulsive buying: do they fall within an obsessive-compulsive spectrum?
- American Psychiatric Association. Technology Addictions: Social Media, Online Gaming, and More.