When most people think of ‘addictions’ they think of compulsive habits with things like drugs, alcohol, sex, and gambling. You know… The ones that have common 12-step programs and the ones that come with the trademark signs of avoidance, denial, defensiveness, stigma, shame, secrecy, etc. 

But the source of addictions is less about the what and more about the why. In other words, it’s really not so much about the substance or the behavior, but more about the pain – the anxiety, loneliness, unworthiness, shame, need for control/safety, unprocessed trauma – the individual is trying to escape. 

In the end, addictions are simply an emotional regulation strategy and a way to ‘feel better’ – even if that looks like not feeling at all and completely numbing out. With this in mind, let’s go deeper into the world of addiction and explore some of its lesser known, more nuanced forms… hidden addictions.