Sometimes a substitute is just what you need.
If you are a teacher who has to miss a day of school, a substitute teacher is needed.
If you are an athlete who needs a breather, a substitute player is needed.
If you are a vegetarian who wants to eat a burger, a substitute for meat is needed.
In these cases, and others like them, having a substitute available to take the place of someone or something else is undeniably a good thing. Otherwise, teachers could never be away from their classrooms, athletes would have to play buzzer to buzzer regardless of fatigue or injury, and vegetarians would have to forego burgers even when they smell delicious.
But in at least one specific case, a substitution does more harm than good. Substitute addictions can undermine your recovery—and unfortunately, they can also sneak up on you if you are not being vigilant.
Let’s take a look at a few kinds of substitute addictions and what you should do if you suspect a problem has arisen.
Binge Eating Can Become a Substitute Addiction
When it comes to binge eating, you might not realize that is what you are doing at first. After eating an unusually large amount of food, you might shrug your shoulders and figure you were just very hungry. But if that sort of eating becomes a regular activity, there is a good chance you have developed a binge eating disorder. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of the disorder can include:
- Feeling that you don’t have control over your eating behavior, for example, you can’t stop once you start.
- Often eating much larger than usual amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as over a two-hour period.
- Eating even when you’re full or not hungry.
- Eating very fast during eating binges.
- Eating until you’re uncomfortably full.
- Often eating alone or in secret.
- Feeling depressed, disgusted, ashamed, guilty, or upset about your eating.
If you are in recovery from a substance use disorder, this sort of disordered eating can become a substitute for drug or alcohol use. If you suspect you are developing a problem with binge eating (or with any other eating disorder), it is important to talk with your doctor right away.
Shopping Can Become a Substitute Addiction
Most people enjoy shopping from time to time—and as long as our purchases are kept within the confines of a budget, there is nothing wrong with that.
But shopping can also get out of control, especially if it is developing into a substitute addiction. If you find yourself buying far more than you need or constantly thinking about shopping, it is possible that a problem has cropped up.
Shopping can be a way to get a quick sense of satisfaction. We see something we would like to have and acquire it, which gives our brains a little boost. But if you come to rely on those boosts, trouble is on its way.
Among the most serious consequences of a shopping addiction is financial insecurity. If you are buying more than you can afford, that habit is going to catch up with you—and probably sooner rather than later.
So, if shopping has become your default activity all of the time, it is important to make a change. We recommend talking with a therapist if your shopping is getting out of control.
Sex Can Become a Substitute Addiction
Sex can be difficult or embarrassing to talk about, but compulsive sexual behavior can become a substitute addiction for a person in recovery from a substance use disorder. As a result, it is an important subject when substitute addictions are under consideration.
The Cleveland Clinic defines compulsive sexual behavior like this:
Sexual addiction is an intense focus on sexual fantasies, urges, or activities that can’t be controlled and cause distress or harm to your health, relationships, career, or other aspects of your life. Sexual addiction is the most commonly used lay term. You may hear healthcare professionals call this compulsive sexual behavior, problematic sexual behavior, hypersexuality, hypersexuality disorder, sexual compulsivity, or sexual impulsivity…[W]hen your sexual thoughts and activities consume your life…you may be considered to have a sexual addiction.
If you suspect you might have replaced your substance use disorder with a disorder centered on sex, we recommend talking with a doctor and a therapist to find the best solutions for you.
These Are Not the Only Options for Substitute Addictions
Binge eating, shopping, and sex are not the only behaviors that can develop into substitute addictions. We considered three others—exercise, gambling, and work—in this previous blog entry.
Get the Help You Need Now
Located near St. Louis, Missouri, The Aviary Recovery Center helps individuals address substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. We are dedicated to evidence-based and personalized approaches to treatment, and we are equally committed to treating every person we serve with respect and empathy.
If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, the time to get help is right now. And at The Aviary, that help will be provided by a skilled team that is consistently recognized as one of the very best in the nation.
